You see the world, try new things, meet new people, fall in love, visit amazing places, learn about other cultures – then it’s all over. People always talk about leaving, but what about coming home?

We talk about the hard parts while we’re away – finding jobs, making real friends, staying safe, learning social norms, misreading people you think you can trust – but these are all parts you get through. All of these lows are erased by the complete highs you experience. The goodbyes are difficult but you know they are coming, especially when you take the final step of purchasing your plane ticket home. All of these sad goodbyes are bolstered by the reunion with your family and friends you have pictured in your head since leaving in the first place.

Then you return home, have your reunions, spend your first two weeks meeting with family and friends, catch up, tell stories, reminisce, etc. You’re Hollywood for the first few weeks back and it’s all new and exciting. And then it all just…goes away. Everyone gets used to you being home, you’re not the new shiny object anymore and the questions start coming: So do you have a job yet? What’s your plan? Are you dating anyone? How does your 401k look for retirement? (Ok, a little dramatic on my part.)

But the sad part is once you’ve done your obligatory visits for being away for a year; you’re sitting in your childhood bedroom and realize nothing has changed. You’re glad everyone is happy and healthy and yes, people have gotten new jobs, boyfriends, engagements, etc., but part of you is screaming don’t you understand how much I have changed? And I don’t mean hair, weight, dress or anything else that has to do with appearance. I mean what’s going on inside of your head. The way your dreams have changed, they way you perceive people differently, the habits you’re happy you lost, the new things that are important to you. You want everyone to recognize this and you want to share and discuss it, but there’s no way to describe the way your spirit evolves when you leave everything you know behind and force yourself to use your brain in a real capacity, not on a written test in school. You know you’re thinking differently because you experience it every second of every day inside your head, but how do you communicate that to others?

You feel angry. You feel lost. You have moments where you feel like it wasn’t worth it because nothing has changed but then you feel like it’s the only thing you’ve done that is important because it changed everything. What is the solution to this side of traveling? It’s like learning a foreign language that no one around you speaks so there is no way to communicate to them how you really feel.

This is why once you’ve traveled for the first time all you want to do is leave again. They call it the travel bug, but really it’s the effort to return to a place where you are surrounded by people who speak the same language as you. Not English or Spanish or Mandarin or Portuguese, but that language where others know what it’s like to leave, change, grow, experience, learn, then go home again and feel more lost in your hometown then you did in the most foreign place you visited.

This is the hardest part about traveling, and it’s the very reason why we all run away again.

White water rafting offers plenty of benefits. The rivers are gorgeous, the banks are breathtaking, and taking a trip through the rapids is often an adventurous workout that leads to a serene and relaxing spot at the end of the day.

However, if you have never gone river rafting before, there are lots of things you need to know including how to stay safe, what to expect and how to enjoy the best trip possible.

1. Choose the Right Company

If you have a zest for adventure, it can be tempting to sign up for the coolest, most aggressive white water rafting trip you can find. However, if you’ve never done it before, you need to be safe and choose the right company, trip and location. When making your reservations, tell the person you speak to that it is your first time. He or she will make sure to book you on a trip that is exciting but also safe for your skill level. You can always try a trip with more rapids as you become comfortable with white water rafting.

2. Decide Where to Go

There are so many amazing white water rafing destinations in North America and around the world. The USA has some of the best locations for beginners and advanced levels, these are some of the most amazing destinations to consider:

• Arkansas River, Colorado
• Colorado River, Grand Canyon, Arizona
• Nenana River, Alaska
• Ocoee River, Tennessee
• Tuolumne River, California
• Salmon River, Idaho
• Rogue River, Oregon
• Gauley River, West Virginia
• Kennebec River, Maine
• Chattooga River, South Carolina And Georgia

3. Wear Sensible Clothing

Dressing appropriately is important for ensuring you have a safe and fun rafting trip. You’ll be in the water, so you’ll want to avoid wearing expensive shoes, but flip-flops aren’t safe. An old pair of sneakers work well, but river sandals or water shoes work better if you have them. During warm weather, a bathing suit underneath of sports clothes works well for getting wet. If you want to raft during chillier temperatures, polar fleece or wool helps to keep your body heat in. Avoid wearing anything too bulky. You’ll need to be able to fit a life jacket over it. A helmet is also required.

4. Learn How To Hold the Paddle

Knowing how to hold your rafting paddle is essential for safety, so be sure to take a lesson beforehand. If you choose to go rafing in Colorado you will find most Denver rafting companies provide lessons before you head out onto the water. When holding your rafting paddle, place one hand on the shaft right above the base of it. Your other hand must always be on the T-grip at the top of the oar. This portion of the paddle is made of hard plastic. If you don’t hold onto it correctly, the rapids could jostle it and cause you to get a black eye or even knock out your own teeth. Using the grip properly helps you maintain control in rough waters and will add your hand as a protective barrier for your face if you do accidentally hit yourself.

6. Bring Plenty of Sunscreen

Remember to check the weather before you head out. You want to be prepared for the elements. More often than not, this means being prepared for the sun. Put it on before you even head out your front door for your trip. Reapply as you can throughout the day, but avoid above your eyes since you don’t want water and sweat to trickle the sunscreen into them. Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses that have straps to hold them onto your face and around your neck.

7. Listen to Your Guide

Above all else, listen to your guide. He or she is specially trained in rafting and has taken the trip you’re about to take hundreds or even thousands of times. Guides help to keep you oriented, remind you of proper techniques, and answer your questions to ensure you have a safe and fun trip. Guides are often licensed and certified to teach and lead the rapids trips. They also have CPR and first aid training and carry two-way radios, so sticking close is essential for your safety.

8. Enjoy the Adventure

White water rafing really is the thrill of a lifetime, go in with an open mind, don’t be scared and just enjoy every moment in the great outdoors. Happy rafting!

River rafting is an excellent way to have fun with friends and family this summer, or even to simply relax on a trip with you and other adventure lovers. If it is your first time, remember to choose a reputable rafting company that is licensed, insured, has strong reviews, and provides high-quality, well-trained instructors.

It does not matter what time of year you travel. There are some things to bring to your trips that you should not forget. What usually happens is that the time to pack up does not usually coincide with a moment of calm. In fact, the days before a trip are all excitement and nerves. If you are also one of those who leave things for the last moment, the most likely is that you forget some of these essential items. We have a proposal for your: use this article as a checklist and make sure that you will always travel with everything you need.

1.- A proper suitcase and an extra one

It seems even too basic to put the suitcase at the top of the list of things to bring to your trips that you should not forget, but this is no-nonsense.

Of course, you will carry a suitcase or a backpack. make sure that complies with the rules of the means of transport that you are going to use. Remember that airlines are very strict about it.
And always put an extra bag in your luggage. Now you can buy cheap folding backpacks that take up very little space. They will serve you for the return trip. When you realize that you have bought so many souvenirs that you can’t actually take them back home with you. Really, this is a tip that you will thank almost every time you travel.

2.- Clothes. Make an independent list for them

When you pack your suitcase and get to the clothing section, forget the famous “just in case”. Carry the essential. In fact, that’s what we’re talking about, the essential things to bring to your trips. If you are a luxury traveler, you can afford to include as many extra garments as you wish. If not, remember that public laundries are conquering the planet and there is one in every other corner. This will allow you to wash your clothes in the middle of the trip. Which means half the weight. One thing you should not miss is spare underwear. Extra tip: pack old underwear that you can get rid of. This way you will gain room in the suitcase along the way.

3.- Footwear

The footwear is one of those elements difficult to put in the suitcase. The best thing to get out of this little bump is to choose a type of footwear that fits all occasions. If you travel in summer, wear comfortable sandals. Many sports stores sell open footwear designed to walk for hours. If you travel in winter, wear breathable boots. They will serve you for rainy days and for the rest. Put some flip-flops on if you go to the beach, or to a spa. They do not take up much space and can save your day.

4.- Pyjamas

Is the pyjama one of those essential things to bring to your trips? Without a doubt it is. Put a light one in the suitcase. If you have booked hotels with shared bathroom you will need it. Besides, it is most likely that nothing happens during the trip, but what if there is an emergency and you must leave your room in the middle of the night? Better sleep with pyjamas.

5.- Hat and sunglasses

Caps, Hats and sunglasses are necessary at all times of the year. This is evident in summer, but we usually forget them in winter. That’s why we add them to this list of essential things to bring to your trips. The light of the clear days of winter is as annoying as in summer. And a hat will keep you warm in the coldest months. You will travel more comfortable if you carry both in your suitcase.

6.- Towel and toiletries

You never know what the hotels you visit will be like. A microfiber towel can save you from bad hotel management and does not take up much space. Always travel with one. The same applies to toiletries. Do not trust complimentary ones. Just in case.

7.- Sewing kit

We are talking about essential things to bring to your trips, so keep the kit small. Scissors, thread, needle and maybe a couple of buttons will be enough. They may not let you carry your suitcase in the cabin, but it will be worth it. Especially if you travel to a place with not many shops. The buttons tend to undo at the worst moment and the same happens with zippers.

8.- Firs aid kit

Bandages, cotton, a couple of gauzes and some type of antiseptic will serve to heal a small wound. If you walk a lot, you will see that the chafing of the shoes is your worst enemies during a trip. That is why we stress the need to carry bandages.

9.- Medicines

Check if the country you are travelling to allows you to enter medications in your restaurants. If so, always take with you analgesics, anti-dizziness pills, laxatives and antidiarrheals. If you have any specific disease do not leave the treatment at home!

10.- Documentation

Passport, ID, driver’s license, visas … Make a list of all the documentation you need during the trip and make sure you take it in a safe but accessible place. You will need it.

When it’s time to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, there’s nothing better than a vacation. And while most people think of a vacation as a long trip, sometimes a long weekend away is just what you need to escape and to explore a new Margaritaville Vacation Club destination. Plus, the shortened time makes it easier to plan — especially for those spur-of-the-moment occasions. Whether flying or driving, here are five travel tips to keep in mind for the perfect weekend getaway.

1. Do Your Research

Since you’ll have just a couple of days to explore your destination, making sure to do some homework ahead of time is key. Check out the neighborhood around where you’re staying as well as what some of the “must-do” activities are. Get a sense of travel times between your home base and some of the things you want to do so you don’t end up crisscrossing all over town.

This is also a great time to see if you need to buy any tickets or make reservations in advance for anything. Check to see if there are any events happening that you may want to attend — from a farmers market to a festival. Or, search for your destination on your social media channel of choice to scope out local eateries and tips from locals.

2. Pack Light

A lot of us are guilty of over packing. But when going on a long weekend trip, the last thing you want to do is haul a ton of luggage with you. Pack separates that are easy to mix and match so you can create a few outfits out of some key pieces. An easy method is to stick with neutral colors with a few pieces to add pops of color. Keep an eye out on the weather forecast too and plan accordingly to avoid having to buy a sweatshirt for an unexpected cold snap or a raincoat for a rainy day.

3. Stay Flexible

With so little time, it may be easy to quickly book up your entire day with meals, shopping, entertainment, and more, leaving you exhausted at the end of the day. Have a rough idea of what you’d like to do and see each day, with time to explore without being tied to a schedule. This also allows for some flexibility should you have to contend with any unexpected weather or a change in operating hours for an attraction.

4. Talk With Locals

Whether it’s your Margaritaville Vacation Club resort staff or the barista at the corner coffee shop, ask locals for their recommendations. Oftentimes you’ll learn about some great off-the-beaten path restaurants and hangouts that the typical visitor may overlook. Locals love showing visitors what makes their city unique, and you can get a really unique feel for the local culture by frequenting their recommendations.

5. Unplug

It’s not a weekend away if you take work with you! Take your weekend getaway to disconnect from your day-to-day, and reconnect with your loved ones. Leave the work laptop at home or turn off the notifications for your email. If you’re traveling with the people who contact you most (like family), designate only one person to have a phone with them to keep everyone else free and notification-free. Need a tech-free way to remember your trip? Keep a written journal during your trip and fill it with all the fun things you did.