Deciding to travel is the first step towards discovering all that the world hides in its four corners. However, with so many options, it can be difficult to choose one in particular. If this rings a bell, you’re in luck! We have some tips for choosing a travel destination, without complications.

Why travel?

Before delving into how to choose a travel destination, you must ask yourself why you want to travel. Needing a break from work is different to having a desire to explore a different culture.

The reasons behind each person’s wish to travel are varied. Likewise, the experience had by each individual on their travels also differs from that which others have had or will have. For this reason, you must first ask yourself what it is you want. Travelling to popular destinations such as Vietnam or Thailand makes no sense for someone who is terrified of spending hours on an aeroplane.

On the other hand, mood will also influence the choice of travel destination, and also, of course, physical condition. The general idea is to choose an option that suits your personal circumstances at the time. If you understand the above, you can move on to our advice and make the decision.

Tips for choosing a travel destination

Identify the purpose of your trip

As previously mentioned, it is important to know what you expect from your holidays before choosing a travel destination. What do you want? Do you want to relax on a deserted beach and leave all your worries behind? If so, there are fashionable destinations like Costa Rica that combine stunning beaches with the power of a volcano. But if you want to find other options, we have some paradisiacal beach destinations for you.

If, on the other hand, you’re looking for wild experiences when it comes to choosing a travel destination, there are also options for you. Sunrises taken right out of Hollywood, animals in their natural habitat and unnavigable roads are some of the experiences that can be enjoyed in destinations such as Africa. The possibilities are endless; identify what you want to experience and adapt your journey to it.

Your time restraints

The length of a holiday is another key point when choosing your travel destination. If you have to take a long-haul flight to get there, this deducts two days from the total time you have, one for the outbound journey and another for the return. In addition to the long journey itself, you need time to adapt to the time difference.

On the other hand, given that these are the places with the longest journey time, it is preferable to opt for them if you have at least two weeks to explore. If your holiday is just seven days, perhaps it would be better to stay in Europe. If you don’t have a set return date, you can take an extra-long trip, even without a return ticket.

The size of your budget

Distance doesn’t always mean a higher price, as it is always possible to find a good offer, wherever your destination. However, it is useful to set a limit on the amount you wish to spend. You must bear in mind that not only will you have to pay for your plane ticket, you also have to think about accommodation, food and the standards of living at the destination.

Some remote areas imply a higher flight price. On the contrary, their currency is worth very little compared to yours. This means that the cost of the tickets can be compensated by lower day-to-day expenses during the holiday. Within Europe, the opposite is often the case; flights can be found at low cost, but accommodation and food costs can be extremely high.

What kind of trip you’re looking for

Continuing on from the previous point, another important point when choosing a travel destination is the type of trip. If you consider yourself an adventurous person, you can let yourself be carried away by the experience and eat in street stalls and other low-budget establishments. Also, when it comes to accommodation, you can share a room with other travellers and get around on foot or rent a bicycle if the terrain permits.

If travelling comfortably and not having to improvise is more your style, it’s going to cost you. Guided excursions, taxis or dinners in restaurants will considerably raise the budget, but will also mean that you can relax more. Make sure your destination gives you what you’re looking for.

If you are planning to travel, take note of these helpful diet tips by celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar.

There can’t be a better therapy than travelling. Escaping from the usual chores and setting yourself free at an idyllic location is something we all need at some point. Backpacking helps us to reboot our minds and soul and bury our worries for some time. But enthusiasm is not the only thing you need to make your trip a success! Eating the right food is also important as it ensures that you remain active throughout the journey. A couple of delicious samosas go great with a cup of tea while we are on the move but those chasing a fitness goal might want to keep their hands off them.

Travelling can often disrupt our eating schedule. But nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, in her latest Instagram post, offers some health tips for those bitten by the travel bug. Take a look:

Here Are Some Diet Tips Suggested By Rujuta Diwekar While You Are Travelling:

1. Avoid Tea and Stay Hydrated

A hot cup of tea or coffee is an essential beverage for journeys. However, the nutritionist advises against consuming chai on the flight and 60 minutes before and after boarding. She also suggests avoiding tea and coffee in a moving vehicle and stresses staying hydrated. Instead of hot beverages, one can keep a water bottle handy and try sipping for the whole journey.

2. Stay Active

Travelling may affect your workout regime but it shouldn’t make you completely inactive. According to the nutritionist, one should opt for hotels that offer access to a gym or provide a yoga mat. She suggests packing your own yoga mat and doing five Surya namaskars on a daily basis. In addition, one can also consider lying in ‘suptabaddhakonasana’ for five minutes at bedtime.

3. Carry The Right Food

Travelling often includes eating a lot of junk and munching a variety of snacks. The nutritionist says that travellers can order food like khichdi, dal chawal, risotto or pasta for dinner and tell the hotel staff when you would like to eat it. When you crave something while you are in transit, chewing some peanuts, pistachio, and cashews, can help deal with it.

Top family travel tips on everything from entertainment to the best time to travel

You’ve booked a dream family holiday in a bucket list destination, and now there’s just one thing standing in the way of you and sun, sea and fun – a long-haul flight.

For some people, the thought of as long as 12 hours on a plane with children is enough to put them off booking a break in a far-flung destination, but with some planning and strategic booking, you will not only be able to survive a long-haul flight with children, but maybe even enjoy it!

Here are seven tools to make long distance travel a breeze, from the time of your flight to the essentials you need in your hand luggage.

Choose your departure time carefully
This is going to be one of the most effective ways to boost your chances of long-haul flight success – choosing the right flight time for you and your family. A daytime flight increases your chances of spending lots of time pacing up and down the aisle and trying to keep little ones entertained, whereas a nighttime flight will hopefully ensure you can all get some sleep, helping the journey to go quicker.

On an evening flight you will likely have an hour or two with the lights on while the meal is served, before they are dimmed for the night, giving you all the opportunity to rest.

Pack plenty of snacks

Snacks are an essential when travelling with children, especially if you’re worried your little ones won’t eat the in-flight meals. Stash some of their favourite snacks in your hand luggage to avoid any hangry meltdowns throughout the flight. Meanwhile, if you’re travelling with a baby, advice from gov.uk states that you are allowed to carry enough baby food, milk and sterilised water as you need for the journey. There is no legal limit to how much you can take, however, individual containers of breast milk must contain no more than 2,000ml.

Bring entertainment

While you don’t want to weigh down your hand luggage with toys and books, a few carefully-selected activities can help to keep children entertained on a long-haul flight. Think colouring, activity or sticker books, or games you can all play together during the journey. Avoid packing toys or games with small pieces, as you may find that you spend much of the flight rummaging around on the floor trying to find lost parts under the seats, not fun for anyone.

A bit of screen time is okay

If there’s a time when screen time may be called for, it’s when you’re confined to the cabin of a plane for hours on end. Take advantage of the entertainment system on board most planes, which will likely have films or episodes of their favourite shows to keep children entertained for a while. You could also try audiobooks or music as a way to engage little ones without them spending the whole journey staring at a screen.

Stretch your legs

Take it in turns to get up and walk up and down the aisle every couple of hours to help children burn off any pent-up energy, keep them entertained, and stretch your legs. It’s also a good idea to encourage your children to be as active as possible at the airport before boarding your flight, to try and avoid them feeling restless early on in the journey – and maybe even tire them out enough to sleep.

Don’t worry about what other people think

There’s bound to be some challenging moments during a long-haul flight, especially with younger children and babies, but try not to worry too much about what other people think. You’re likely to find many other passengers are in the same position as you or may have been in the past, so they will be more understanding than you may think.

Remind yourself why you’re travelling

In trickier moments, remind yourself of the reason why you’re travelling, and the trip you have to look forward to once the journey is over. Take some deep breaths and try to keep calm; regulating your emotions and avoiding getting too stressed will not only help you to handle the situation better, but it can also help your child to calm down too and nip meltdowns in the bud.

How to travel alone — and love every minute.

Seeing the world as a solo traveler can be a thrilling experience. After all, you get to choose the destination, stay in whichever hotel you want, see your top wishlist attractions, dine in all your favorite restaurants, and generally do whatever you wish. Sounds like a dream, right? It is, but there are a few pitfalls everyone should avoid when booking a flight, hotel, and table for one. Here are tips for how to travel alone, and 10 common mistakes to avoid so you can have a solo getaway you’ll always remember.

Don’t overpack.

It’s important to remember you’ll be alone through most of your journey, without an airline crew member or a hotel staffer to help you with your bags every step of the way. That’s why it’s critical to only pack what you need as a solo traveler. Your luggage should be large enough to fit all your essentials without being so large that you can’t carry it yourself for long periods of time.

Don’t overschedule every minute.

Because you’re calling the shots, it can be tempting to fill your entire day with every single thing you want to see, do, eat, and experience. However, it’s best to make sure you leave yourself a little breathing room throughout your travels. That’s because delays can happen, journeys can take longer than expected, and you may find you want to spend a little extra time at a cafe, a museum, or in the spa. Just as you edited your luggage, make sure to edit your schedule before departure, too.

Don’t forget to have a plan B.

You’ve got your luggage and your schedule laid out. Now, it’s time to make another plan, or at the very least, part of another one. Having a plan B for your trip is a good idea to help you avoid any pitfalls (like canceled reservations or disappointing destinations), so you can enjoy every moment. Don’t feel like you need to plan an entirely separate trip, but do have an idea of other hotels and attractions nearby, just in case.

Don’t underestimate your travel costs.

With all this planning, you should have a pretty good idea of how much your travels will cost. But it’s a good idea to bring a little extra cash just in case. Prices for admission to local attractions could have increased, cab fares can add up, and tipping is always a wild variable. Make your budget, then build in a buffer so you’re never surprised on your travels.

Don’t be afraid to splurge a little.

Remember that budget above? Make sure to include something special just for you. A solo journey should be one filled with self-discovery and a little self-indulgence. Go ahead and book a night at the nicer hotel, book a spa treatment, reserve a spot at the restaurant you’ve been dreaming of, or go on that opulent VIP tour. Make it memorable. You deserve it.

Don’t feel obligated to fill the silence.

Traveling alone can be daunting for some. After all, we aren’t used to being alone. Between work or school, family and friends, and all our obligations in between, finding a little silence is a gift. That’s why it’s key to remember you don’t have to interact with people if you don’t want to on solo trips. You don’t have to go on a group tour. You can book a one-on-one experience or take a self-guided tour instead. You don’t have to sit at the bar just because you’re dining solo. You can book a whole table just for yourself. Spend time quietly getting to know yourself better on this journey. You’ll come away richer for it.

And don’t be afraid to make new friends.

On the flip side, if you’re craving a little company, that’s okay. The new friends you meet during your travels can easily turn into lifelong ones. The easiest way to meet others is through group tours, staying at hostels, or taking advantage of hotel happy hours. Use technology to connect with other travelers by checking out travel groups on Facebook or downloading apps like Bumble, which have “just friends” filters that allow you to connect with people looking to form new bonds all over the world, just like you.

Don’t forget to tell people where you’re going.

Traveling alone is great, but just in case something goes awry, it’s a good idea to have someone who can assist. That’s why it’s critical to share your plans with a trusted family member or friend. Make an itinerary for them so they have the names and phone numbers of your hotels. Give them updates when you move from one location to the next, and share any changes along your route. Though we like to believe the world is a generally safe place, it’s always a good idea to put your personal security first.

Don’t forgo those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Some things can feel like they’re meant for couples or groups, but don’t let the marketing fool you. If you’ve been dreaming about booking an overwater bungalow in the Maldives, go ahead and do it. You don’t have to be on a honeymoon to enjoy turquoise waters and ocean breezes. Want to see the latest residency in Vegas? Snag your ticket and go, no bachelor or bachelorette party needed. Fun day at Disney? You don’t need to wait for your family’s permission. Life is short. Spend at least a little time doing exactly what you want all by yourself.

And don’t second guess yourself.

If there’s one thing you can trust, it’s your gut, especially on your travels. If something feels too good to be true or if it feels unsafe, it probably is. But also follow your intuition for the good things — if a restaurant looks amazing to you but doesn’t have a million five-star reviews, it’s okay. You could discover a hidden gem that you tell everyone about when you get back home. Trust your instincts. We bet they’re usually right.