It’s time to turn those long-overdue plans into reality and create new memories with your closest friends. Friendship Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate your bond by exploring some of the world’s most captivating destinations. Whether you’re seeking thrilling adventures or tranquil retreats, these handpicked international locations are sure to inspire your next Friendship Day getaway.

Abu Dhabi, UAE:

Abu Dhabi blends exhilarating adventures with rich cultural experiences. Begin your trip with high-speed thrills at Ferrari World and then cool off at Yas Waterworld. Dive into marine wonders at SeaWorld or immerse yourselves in the fantastical realms of Warner Bros World and Al Ain Adventure. For a taste of local flavor, dine at Al Fanar Restaurant for traditional Emirati cuisine or savor international dishes at Zuma. Don’t miss the chance to capture stunning photos at the Corniche and the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which will undoubtedly add a memorable touch to your trip.

New Zealand:

A haven for adventure seekers and nature lovers, New Zealand offers awe-inspiring landscapes and thrilling activities. Feel the rush with jet boating on the Shotover River or bungee jumping at AJ Hackett Bungy in Queenstown. Movie enthusiasts can visit the iconic Hobbiton Movie Set, while geothermal wonders await in Rotorua. Indulge in seafood at Fergburger in Queenstown or local delicacies at The Grove in Auckland. From breathtaking glaciers and volcanoes to serene kayaking in crystal-clear lakes and whale watching, New Zealand promises both exhilarating and soothing experiences.

Seychelles:

For a serene yet vibrant Friendship Day celebration, Seychelles is an idyllic choice. Relax on the pristine beaches of Mahé and snorkel in the clear waters of Sainte Anne Marine National Park. Explore the lush Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve on Praslin and experience the charming vibe of La Digue. Enjoy beachside dining at Café des Arts on Anse Volbert or sample local cuisine at Wildflour Cafe near Victoria. The picturesque Beau Vallon Beach and Anse Source d’Argent offer stunning backdrops for unforgettable memories.

Thailand:

Thailand caters to every interest with its lively markets and stunning beaches. Wander through the bustling streets of Bangkok and explore ancient temples in Ayutthaya. Enjoy the vibrant night bazaars in Chiang Mai and taste delicious street food at Yaowarat (Chinatown). For fine dining, Gaggan in Bangkok is a must-visit. Capture the beauty of Wat Arun and the Phi Phi Islands, and don’t forget a scenic river cruise on the Chao Phraya River, which adds a unique touch to your adventure.

Morocco:

Morocco offers a fascinating blend of tradition and modernity for a memorable Friendship Day. Immerse yourselves in the vibrant souks of Marrakech, stroll through the serene Jardin Majorelle, and explore the historic Medina of Fez. A camel ride across the Sahara Desert and a night under the stars will deepen your bond with unforgettable late-night conversations. For a distinctive dining experience, savor the rich flavors of Moroccan cuisine at Dar Moha in Marrakech.

Georgia:

Discover Georgia’s charm by wandering through the historic streets of Tbilisi and taking in panoramic views from Narikala Fortress. Indulge in world-renowned Georgian wines and explore the breathtaking scenery of Sighnaghi and Kazbegi. Adventurers will find plenty of hiking opportunities, and no visit to Georgia is complete without trying iconic dishes like khachapuri and khinkali at renowned restaurants like Kakhelebi.

Plan your trip with friends and make this Friendship Day unforgettable. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural enrichment, these destinations offer something extraordinary for everyone.

Learn how to get out of your comfort zone when shooting street photography, with pro advice from Jamie Canning

One of the most intriguing aspects of humans is their natural curiosity, which naturally leads to exploring the diversity of life. The bustling streets of cosmopolitan cities offer a perfect platform for observing people from different parts of the world. Through capturing their visual impressions, we can learn a lot about their cultures, traditions and ways of life.

Although the exceptions may prove the rule, there are still many stereotypes that stand out, especially when we encounter tourists from different cultures. For instance, the cliche is that Germans wear Birkenstock shoes, while the English are known for wearing shorts in cold weather. The rich variety and diversity of people from different backgrounds and cultures make street photography appealing, not only for us as photographers but also for delivering impactful insights.

However, it’s important not just to focus on the tourists and visitors but also to capture the people who live in the city. They are the ones who bring the urban landscape to life. These faces are the missing puzzle pieces that add authenticity to your perspective of street life, making your portfolio stand out.

By communicating with the locals as you photograph them, you can discover insider information that isn’t found in most city guidebooks. This is particularly valuable if you’re new to the city or have limited time to explore as they give a more comprehensive understanding of life in that location.

We talked to street photographer Jamie Canning and asked him about his top five communication techniques to get you out of your comfort zone when shooting on the streets, whether you’re rocking the Fujifilm X100VI or your camera phone…

Jamie Canning is a street photographer from South Wales, United Kingdom. His role as a public servant in the UK has finely tuned Jamie’s ability to observe and understand people in various situations. This experience translates seamlessly into his street photography, enabling him to capture genuine and diverse moments that reflect the rich tapestry of human life.

1. Be polite

When connecting with strangers, approach them with respect. I usually engage subjects with a genuine smile, it can work wonders!

2. Introduce yourself

Explain what your work is about and why you are photographing people on the streets. This will help them understand your goals and projects.

3. Show your work

Have your phone ready to show your work on Instagram or other social media platforms. This will give the person a better idea of what you are doing.

4. Establishing a connection

I seek their unique story. Show interest and be open to their thoughts and input. And don’t forget, everyone has a ‘good’ side.

5. Don’t give up!

Not everyone will be happy to get photographed and sometimes you might get rejected. But when a stranger is willing to appear in front of your camera, then the feeling of rejection will disappear in a second.

Mentally, physically and emotionally, you can gain a lot from packing your bags and visiting places you’ve never been.

When was the last time you traveled abroad? Traveling for business is one thing, but I’m talking about packing your bags, logging out of your email account and disconnecting from your normal routine for a week or more.

Traveling the world isn’t just fun and exciting; there’s ample research to suggest it’s highly beneficial for your physical, mental and emotional health as well.

Check Out These Five Proven Benefits

Americans may say they like to travel, but most don’t venture abroad very often. According to a study published in the Hostelworld Global Traveler Report,Americans are half as likely as Europeans to go abroad and visit more than one country.

The average resident of the UK has visited 10 countries, Germans have seen eight, and the French traveled to five nations on average. But Americans? They tend to visit just three. In fact, 29 percent of American adults have never been abroad!

When citizens of the U.S. do move past the border, most visit Canada or Mexico. Affordability is evidently a big factor — about 71 percent of Americans say it’s too expensive to leave the country — but that’s hardly the whole story.

Given what all the travel and deal sites have to offer today, you can travel abroad without ransacking your piggy bank. Perhaps many Americans don’t grasp the benefits of traveling abroad — and there are many!

Let’s dive in and take a look at some of the health benefits that researchers have explored and verified scientifically.

1. Travel Makes You Healthier

According to a joint study from the Global Commission on Aging and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, in partnership with the U.S. Travel Association, travelingactually keeps you healthier. The study found that women who vacation at least twice a year show a significantly lower risk of suffering a heart attack than those who only travel every six years or so.

The same is true for men. Men who do not take an annual vacation show a 20 percent higher risk of death and 30 percent greater risk of heart disease.

2. Travel Relieves Stress

Although missing a connecting flight or losing baggage in a foreign airport is sure to boost your anxiety, traveling has been scientifically proven to lower stress levels, and rather dramatically.

According to one study, three days after taking a vacation, travelers report feeling less anxious, more rested and in a better mood. Interestingly, these benefits tend to linger for weeks after the trip has ended.

3. Travel Enhances Your Creativity

“Foreign experiences increase both cognitive flexibility and depth and integrativeness of thought, the ability to make deep connections between disparate forms,”explains Adam Galinsky, a professor at Columbia Business School who hasauthored a number of studies that investigate the concrete links between creativity and international travel.

Travel alone isn’t enough, however. Galinsky has found that international travelers have to be purposeful about engaging.

“The key, critical process is multicultural engagement, immersion and adaptation,” he continues. “Someone who lives abroad and doesn’t engage with the local culture will likely get less of a creative boost than someone who travels abroad and really engages in the local environment.”

4. Travel Boosts Happiness and Satisfaction

Most people tend to be happier when they’re traveling and don’t have to worry about work, of course. However, one of the more interesting takeaways from a Cornell University study is that people also experience a direct increase in happiness from just planning a trip.

The study found that the anticipation of taking a vacation is far greater than the anticipation of acquiring a physical possession. Thus, the benefits of traveling abroad begin well before the trip does.

5. Travel Lowers the Risk of Depression

While people tend to avoid the subject in our society, depression is unfortunately a major problem. Millions of Americans struggle with depression on a regular basis and it’s not uncommon for doctors to over prescribe medication for depression.

Luckily, healthier alternatives are available for escaping the hopelessness of a depressed state. According to research, travel may be one of them.

A study from the Marsh field Clinic in Wisconsin found that women who vacation at least twice a year are less likely to suffer from depression and chronic stress than women who vacation less than once every two years.

Where Will Your Travels Take You This Year?

So there are clear, scientifically-backed health benefits of traveling the world. Mentally, physically and emotionally, you can gain a lot from packing your bags and visiting places you’ve never been.

But where will you go? Thousands of places across the world are worth visiting. Here are a few that should be on your radar:

• London, England. London is a must-visit city. If you’re new to international travel and want to get your feet wet, there’s probably no better destination. Not only is there a lot to do in London, but it’s cheap and easy to get to from most major U.S. cities. There’s also no language barrier, which is a bonus for people who get nervous about that.
• Cape Town, South Africa. The beauty of Cape Town is astonishing. Not only is the landscape unique, but there’s wildlife galore, including the Big Five (lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhino). There’s much to see; whether you prefer a fast pace or slow and easy, there’s an itinerary for you.
• Lucerne, Switzerland. If you’ve never been to Switzerland, Lucerne is a fantastic first city to experience. Conveniently near to the Zurich airport, the town is compact, yet lively. Not only are there lots of attractions in the city, but you can enjoy an array of hiking trails just outside of town.
• Auckland, New Zealand. Whether you want to kayak to a volcano, abseil down a waterfall, swim with sharks, or tackle challenging trails on a mountain bike, Auckland has everything an adventure lover could ask for. Oh, and it’s also a city that teems with good food and entertainment.

For many, the notion of international travel isn’t as mysterious and thrilling as it used to be. In a world accessible via YouTube, Google Earth, and virtual reality, many think they’ve already seen all the world has to offer, when they’ve really only stared at a screen a few inches in front of their face.

If you want to enjoy the scientifically proven health benefits of travel abroad, you should start planning a trip. Whether you go to London, Cape Town, Lucerne, Auckland, or somewhere entirely different, boarding a plane and flying to a foreign destination where you’re equal parts excited and intimidated is great for your growth and development.

Where will you go?

Looking for some new destinations to add to your travel wish list? Here are 5 ‘high’ places that might pique your interest and set off your wanderlust for 2024.

We are sure that a lot of us are so ready to wrap up 2016 and turn over a fresh new chapter in just a few weeks’ time. Welcoming the first month of a new year is always exciting – new beginnings, new dreams and aspirations… but why not push the limit further and take yourself to completely new heights this coming year?

From climbing the tower of one of the world’s most wondrous castles to enjoying a breath-taking panorama from the seat of a helicopter, ZUJI Singapore has found five top experiences around the globe that encourage you to see the world from an entirely new perspective.

HIKE TO 100 WATERFALLS TREK, LAOS

Trek through small streams and rice paddies and arrive amazed at the bottoms of the 100 waterfalls in Nong Khiaw, a stone’s throw away from Luang Prabang. Each waterfall tumbles immediately into the next throughout the thick jungle along the steady 10km ascent. With lush greenery and only the sounds of trickling waterfalls in the background, your reward awaits as you reach the top for a sweeping view of the village below.

EXPLORE MACHU PICCHU, PERU

Hike the Incan Trail and immerse yourself in one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Mixing the perfect blend of history, myth and culture, only 500 daily visitors are allowed in 2017, so make sure you don’t miss out! Want to avoid the selfie stick-wielding crowd? Why not add Sacred Valley to your itinerary; only an hour away from Machu Picchu, the belt of small villages is full of archeological gems and is set against the backdrop of mesmerizing mountain slopes.

TAKE A HELICOPTER RIDE IN GLACIER COUNTRY, NEW ZEALAND

There’s no better way to enjoy New Zealand’s magnificent beauty than by soaring across the skies. Fox Glacier is one of the few glaciers in the world which exists in such close proximity to both an ocean and a rainforest, offering a rare opportunity to experience a dynamic glacier without the need for arctic gear.

CLIMB UP THE BALCONY OF NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE, BAVARIA, GERMANY

Enter a magical realm as you climb the towers of Neuschwanstein Castle, the landmark building rumoured to have inspired Walt Disney in creating the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle. With a balcony overlooking another castle and separated by an idyllic lake, there’s no prettier place for you to learn medieval history and architecture as you journey inside the castle, or simply experience what it’s like to be royalty for a day!

RIDE A HOT AIR BALLOON IN SIAM REAP, CAMBODIA

Watch the sunset over the majestic Angkor Wat temples from 200 metres above ground. Cruise in a hot air balloon and enjoy the panoramic view of Siam Reap’s green countryside and picturesque rows of rice fields. While the ride lasts only ten minutes, the tranquil experience is enough to create a lasting memory for a lifetime.

Whether you’re an outdoor sports junkie or simply wish to take a quiet break a thousand feet above the ground, try embarking on one of these uplifting experiences. Not only will you get to cross off that bucket list, you’ll also kick start the new year with a refreshed sense of wonder and fulfillment, too.