Jet lag can be a challenging issue when flying across time zones taking away precious time from our holidays, which is why we put together this list of tips and tricks to get over jet lag.

1. Understanding Jet Lag

Jet lag is a disruption of the body’s circadian rhythm caused by travelling across three or more time zones. It leads to symptoms like sleep disturbances, daytime drowsiness, reduced performance, and gastrointestinal issues. The severity and duration of jet lag can vary based on factors such as travel direction, number of time zones crossed, total travel time, and your normal sleep schedule.

2. Realigning Your Circadian Rhythm

To overcome jet lag, you must align your body’s internal clock with the day-night cycle at your destination. Light exposure and melatonin play crucial roles in retraining your internal clock. However, the timing of these interventions is crucial, and improper use can worsen jet lag. Consider using light exposure and melatonin supplements to help adjust your circadian rhythm effectively.

3. Pre-Trip Adjustments

Planning ahead can significantly reduce the impact of jet lag. Gradually shifting your sleep schedule in the days leading up to your flight can help you adapt to the new time zone. Online resources and apps like Timeshifter can offer personalized strategies to minimize jet lag based on your travel details.

4. Minimizing Jet Lag Symptoms

While you may not fully recover from jet lag until your circadian rhythm adjusts, you can take practical steps to alleviate symptoms. Prioritize restful sleep before your trip, stay hydrated during the flight, and avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine intake. Opt for lighter meals to prevent gastrointestinal issues and consider exercising at your destination to align your circadian rhythm.

5. Naps and Sleep Aids

Quick naps can help combat daytime sleepiness due to jet lag, but keep them short and well-timed. Sleep aids like melatonin may assist with sleep deprivation caused by jet lag, but consult your doctor before using them to ensure safety and effectiveness.

6. Prepare for Jet-Lag Misery in Advance

Start preparing for jet lag before your trip by adjusting your sleep schedule in small increments.

7. Take Your Flight Seriously

Avoid red-eye flights whenever possible and try to sleep on the plane in accordance with your destination’s time zone.

8. Don’t Over-Schedule Your First Days

Allow yourself time to adjust to the new time zone and avoid scheduling important activities on your first day at the destination.

9. Seek Out the Right Kind of Light

Exposure to natural light, especially in the morning, can help regulate your circadian rhythm. Adjust your light exposure according to your destination’s time zone.

10. Make Your Sleep Space Extra Sleepy

If staying at a hotel, communicate your sleep needs to the staff to create a comfortable sleep environment.

11. When All Else Fails, Give In

Accept that jet lag may cause temporary fatigue, and be kind to yourself during the recovery process.

Europe, with its amazing history, different cultures, and beautiful scenery, continues to attract travelers from around the world. Looking forward to 2024, Europe has lots of cool places for you to explore. Let’s check out some beautiful destinations in Europe for the coming year, from famous places to hidden gems.

1. Paris, France

Paris, known as the city of love, offers enchanting experiences in 2024. Explore iconic sites like the Eiffel Tower, enjoy a stroll along the Seine River, and visit world-renowned museums like the Louvre. With its charming streets, delicious cuisine, and romantic atmosphere, Paris is a must-visit for any traveler.

2. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona, the lively capital of Catalonia, combines historic charm with modern style. Gaudi’s masterpieces, including the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, showcase the city’s unique architecture. Explore the Gothic Quarter, get in tapas at La Boqueria market, and relax on Barcelona’s beautiful beaches.

3. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam’s scenic canals and historic architecture make it a timeless destination. In 2024, discover the city’s cultural richness with visits to the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, and the Rijksmuseum. Take a leisurely bike ride along the canals, and explore vibrant neighborhoods like Jordaan.

4. Santorini, Greece

The Greek island of Santorini beckons with breathtaking landscapes and charming villages. Famous for its white-washed buildings and blue-domed roofs, Santorini offers stunning sunsets and crystal-clear waters. Explore the archaeological site of Akrotiri, relax on the unique black sand beaches, and savor traditional Greek cuisine in a seaside taverna.

5. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik’s well-preserved medieval architecture and coastal views make it a must-visit destination in 2024. Walk along the city walls, explore the historic Old Town, and take a boat trip to the nearby Elaphiti Islands. Dubrovnik’s rich history and picturesque setting have earned it a spot on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

6. Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, boasts a rich history and vibrant cultural scene. Explore the Edinburgh Castle, stroll along the Royal Mile, and hike up Arthur’s Seat for panoramic views. If you visit in August, don’t miss the renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival.

7. Cinque Terre, Italy

The five colorful villages of Cinque Terre, perched on the Italian Riviera, offer a unique coastal experience. Hike the scenic trails that connect the villages, savor fresh seafood, and unwind on the charming beaches. With its breathtaking landscapes, Cinque Terre is a perfect destination for nature lovers and photographers.

Hello all January travellers. Here’s some good news for you – this may just be the best time to book cheap travel from Dubai and experience new things.

You won’t have to deal with the holiday rush, prices will become more affordable and in fact, you may end up saving rather than splurging on that dream vacation.

Here are three reasons why January is the best month for cheap travel from Dubai, plus six destinations to add to your must-visit list.

Discounted airline fares

Buy your tickets in January and you’ll probably get discounted fares. This is because most people have been travelling in December and are giving airport runs a break. As demand drops so exponentially in the first month of the year, airlines tend to drop their prices, too. That dream destination that seemed far away? This is probably the time to start googling for trips.

Fewer travellers = less crowds

Because you are going at a time when others are not, you won’t have to hustle to get the best views of trendy spots or stand in queues for hours. The experience will in fact probably be more authentic since crowd-pleasing activities will be swapped out for quieter, more genuine experiences.

Destinations are often cheaper

We are riding the trough of the wave now; the peak period’s over, which means hotels and resorts are likely to drop their prices as well. You might get a swanky room at that lux hotel you’ve always wanted to stay at for less. Or that experience you’ve always wanted for a more affordable price.

Are you sold on the idea of travel, but now wonder where you can take off to?

Here’s a look a six spots for affordable and awesome trips from Dubai.

Cairo, Egypt

The city which stands on the banks of the Nile has a rich history and it’s happy to tell you all about it. Visit Tahir Square and the Egyptian Museum, home to antiquities including the world-famous mummies. Don’t forget to travel to nearby Giza where you can take in the Pyramids and Great Sphinx, which date back centuries. There are plenty of bazaars in Cairo that will supply your fix of souvenirs, from perfumes to jewellery. Just don’t forget to haggle for a good price.

Mumbai, India

It may be the commercial capital of India, but there’s also a lot to do here for the casual visitor. Take a photograph at the Gateway of India stone arch, from where you’ll also see boats swimming into the harbour, try some street food and if you are a Bollywood fan, go home-hopping to see where the stars live. In the evening, stroll down to Juhu beach and you may bump into some of your favourite celebs.

Kathmandu, Nepal

Kathmandu is perfect for the culture vulture in you. Visit Unesco world heritage sites Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple and the Bodhnath Stupa. While in Kathmandu be on the lookout for little hole-in-the-wall eateries, which will serve you steaming hot momos (dimsums) and hot thukpa (a broth-based noodle soup).

Istanbul, Turkey

Everything about Istanbul screams grand – whether it’s the monuments that date back generations, the food or the shopping. Spend a day getting to know the history of the city – there’s the Hagia Sophia to visit and the Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern, where the movie Angels & Demons, starring Tom Hanks, was shot. Stop by the Grand Bazaar for hot, sweet apple tea and some souvenirs.

Nairobi, Kenya

Kenya just launched visa-free travel for everyone – and this is the best time to experience the place. For wildlife experiences of a lifetime, this is the one to visit. There’s the giraffe centre and Nairobi National Park where you can see animals such as the rhino, the hippo, giraffes, lions and cheetahs and more.

Baku, Azerbaijan

For an interesting lesson in architecture, head to Baku, and to the Heydar Aliyev Centre, an interestingly wave-shaped building that’s home to art exhibitions and shows. There are also many ancient spots around the city, so you can meet your need for cultural consumption. There is, for example, the Maiden Tower, which dates back to the 12th century. Don’t forget to take a boat ride over in Mini Venice.

For a lot of photographers, the act of traveling is a double-edged sword. We travel to be able to see the world and draw as much inspiration as we can from everything we see and experience. At the same time, the act of traveling often requires pushing out of our comfort zones and leaving behind a lot of the things that allow us to operate with fewer worries and limitations.

Traveling often involves the unpredictability of new surroundings, the randomness of photographic subjects, and the requirements (and limitations) of our gear. Travel is a huge equalizer that requires a lot of planning and a lot of energy to make sure that the experience is both productive and refreshing at the same time. Here are four things to keep in mind that might help you make the most out of your travel experiences no matter where you are going.

1. Don’t Let Unfavorable Weather Stop You

A lot of photographers get discouraged when the condition outdoors don’t seem to be optimal for photography. One reality that many of us have to accept is that the weather won’t always be pleasant, but that doesn’t mean that there won’t be anything worth photographing. Of course, one should always prioritize safety when the natural environment becomes dangerous, but for days when clouds cover the sky and maybe even a bit of intermittent rain falls, it might just be advantageous for you to push yourself to go out and make the most out of the day. This is especially true for trips with very limited time because you probably want to make the most out of the time, effort, and money that you dedicated for such an experience.

When we travel for the sake of photography, we do so with a wide variety of photographic goals. Personally, I spend my time yearning to see and photograph beautiful places around the world, both natural and man-made. Other people like to travel to photograph scenes on the streets, faces of the people they meet, and unique objects that represent and tell stories of that particular place. One important thing to remember is that these stories never stop due to bad weather. People in a particular place continue their way of life amidst gloomy and cloudy skies. Landscapes have distinctly unique appearances even in rough weather, and city life goes on to glow even on a rainy night.

While the weather may change what you see and photograph, it doesn’t meant that there isn’t anything to capture at all. If you find ways to continue exploring a place even when the conditions are not what you expected, and you learn to adapt to what the place is offering to show you for that particular day, you will never run out of discoveries and stories to tell.

2. Give Yourself Some Wiggle Room

As travelers and even as photographers, we are told to always plan, plan, and plan. With limited time in a particular place, there is, of course, undeniable value in having a solid plan on when and where to go at a certain time in order to make the most out of your trip. However, we also have the tendency to be too fixated on following a schedule and simply getting from one place to another that we forget to actually experience the place and gather personal memories along the way.

We must always remember that there is so much value in allowing yourself to get lost (to an extent) in order to feed your curiosity and make memorable discoveries. It is, of course, not advisable to start a trip with absolutely no plans, but it’s great to know when you can take a few steps back and play things by ear.

In our recent trip to Hong Kong, we made a simple list of the things we wanted to see and the places we wanted to photograph. We put them in no particular order and assessed what was feasible on one particular day and basically chose where we felt like going. At the same time, we gave ourselves a couple of hours in the afternoon to see new and random places where we don’t even know what we will see. With just four days in the city, we can definitely say that we made the most of the experience because our craving to do photography in the city was satisfied equally by the shots that we planned to do and the scenes and stories that we stumbled upon along the way.

3. Don’t Forget To Be a Tourist

It’s important to take into consideration everything that you need to be able to survive being away from home for a few days. Of course, one of the most basic steps is arranging for transportation and lodging, and both of them have so much impact on your overall experience. Remember that being in a place where you don’t feel safe or comfortable will affect every other aspect of your trip, which is why it is definitely reasonable to pay for a little extra comfort if you can afford it.

You’re also inevitably going to have to eat, which is why it makes sense to also explore when it comes to food. This doesn’t really mean that you should splurge on the most expensive restaurants, but instead, make the search for good memorable food part of your exploration. Travel guides and articles will probably tell you all the popular places, but it’s also beneficial to ask locals where they like to eat around the area. If you’re into other things worth checking out such as coffee, tea, or even shopping, these give you opportunities to rest for a few minutes while still experiencing life in the place you’re visiting.

4. Connect With People

In most travel destinations, it is inevitable that you will meet people along the way. The world may be beautiful on its own, but a lot of the things we photograph when we travel are due to how people bring places to life. No matter where you go, you never lose anything by meeting people and making new friends.

Everywhere you go, you will meet people who embody the identity of the place that you’re visiting — people who work at hotels and restaurants, fellow travelers, or random strangers living their daily lives. If you’re looking for unique stories and if you want to learn about a place on a deeper level, it will be from the stories of the people around you.

At the same time, in a world where communication happens very quickly no matter the distance, it is very likely that you have talked to or even worked with people from this new place that you are visiting. Taking a few hours to meet with them in person and learning about them and their place will literally open more doors for you.

Traveling for photography can be both relaxing and stressful at the same time. When your passion to take photos bring you around the world and push you to leave your comfort zone, making the most out of the trip should also mean giving yourself room to be comfortable enough to actually enjoy the experience.