Travel can make eating healthy tricky, but these 10 simple tips will help you stay energised, eat well, and enjoy your journey without stress.

Travelling is exciting, but it often comes with irregular meal times, limited healthy options, and the craving to have fast food. Whether you’re hopping on a work trip or heading out for a vacation, eating right while on a trip seems tough. Long journeys, delayed flights, and different cuisines make it easy to overindulge or grab whatever is convenient.

But staying healthy while travelling doesn’t have to be complicated or tough. According to Pratiksha Kadam, Chief Dietitian at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Navi Mumbai, “Small, smart choices can make a big difference. Eating well while travelling is all about planning ahead and being mindful of your options.”

So if you’re travelling soon then here are 10 simple ways to help you eat right, stay energetic, and enjoy your trip:

1. Pack healthy snacks

Carry high-fibre, high-protein snacks like nuts, seeds, fruit, yogurt, air-popped popcorn, or roasted chickpeas. Kadam explains, “Non-perishable snacks are lifesavers during long journeys when healthy options aren’t available.”

2. Maintain regular mealtimes

Even on busy travel days, try not to skip meals. Eating at consistent intervals keeps your energy levels steady and prevents overeating later.

3. Choose wisely at airports and stores

Airports, railway stations, and highway stops increasingly offer healthier options such as salads, cheese plates, fresh fruit, and baked snacks. Dietician Gulnaaz Shaikh from KIMS Hospitals, Thane, adds, “Knowing your options before you arrive helps you avoid fast food temptations.”

4. Stay hydrated

Dehydration can make you feel tired or even hungry. Carry a reusable water bottle and sip water, fresh juices, or herbal teas throughout the day instead of sugary drinks.

5. Start your day with a nutritious breakfast

A balanced breakfast sets the tone for the day. Try Greek yogurt with fruit and nuts, oatmeal, or whole-grain toast with avocado. Kadam says, “Even a quick, healthy breakfast helps you make better choices all day.”

6. Research restaurants before heading out

Check menus and reviews of restaurants at your destination. Knowing where to get healthy meals makes travelling easier and helps you enjoy treats without overdoing it.

7. Watch your portions

Restaurant servings are often large. Share dishes, ask for half portions, or save leftovers for later. Shaikh explains, “Smaller portions let you enjoy more dishes without feeling bloated or overwhelmed.”

8. Include protein-rich meals

Proteins such as eggs, chicken, fish, tofu, or legumes keep you full longer and maintain energy. Whenever possible, pair protein with vegetables and whole grains to avoid mid-day energy crashes.

9. Be mindful with treats and alcohol

It’s tempting to indulge in desserts or cocktails, but excess sugar and alcohol can dehydrate you and disrupt sleep. But you can still enjoy local specialties in moderation, and pair drinks with plenty of water.

10. Listen to your body

You must pay attention to what your body needs. Listen to your body: eat slowly, enjoy your food, and stop when you feel full, not overly stuffed. Kadam adds, “Mindful eating helps you enjoy your trip without overdoing it.”

There’s a special kind of wanderlust in exploring places where time has paused.

Once thriving towns hollowed by economic change, neglected rail stations gathering dust, buildings slowly claimed by rust and vines. Africa has many of these and visiting them can be a deeply moving adventure.

Kolmanskop, Namibia

A short drive from the coastal town of Lüderitz lies one of Africa’s most photographed ghost towns: Kolmanskop. Once a glittering diamond settlement in the early 1900s, this German-built town had everything — grand homes, an ice factory, a bowling alley, even a concert hall. But when richer diamond fields were discovered further south, residents packed up and left, leaving the desert to reclaim their dream.

Today, Kolmanskop’s sand-filled houses create surreal photo opportunities with staircases buried halfway, light spilling through broken windows, and faded wallpaper curling at the edges. Arrive early in the morning for soft golden light, and take a guided tour to uncover its fascinating history. It’s eerie, cinematic, and utterly unforgettable.

Travel tip: Visit between May and September when temperatures are cooler, and bring a good camera or smartphone tripod for those incredible sunrise shots.

Pilgrim’s Rest, South Africa

Tucked in the rolling hills of Mpumalanga, Pilgrim’s Rest isn’t abandoned but it feels wonderfully frozen in time. Declared a living museum, this 19th-century gold rush town retains its Victorian charm, with old saloons, corrugated-iron homes, and antique shops that whisper stories of fortune seekers and frontier life.

Take a leisurely stroll through the main street, pop into the Royal Hotel for tea, or join a gold-panning experience to try your luck. Nearby, the Panorama Route offers spectacular scenery, from God’s Window to the Blyde River Canyon, making Pilgrim’s Rest a great stop on a road trip through South Africa’s northeast.

Travel tip: Combine a visit to Pilgrim’s Rest with nearby Graskop or Sabie for waterfall hikes and local craft markets.

The Lunatic Express, Kenya

Once known as the “Lunatic Express,” the Uganda Railway was one of the most ambitious colonial projects of the late 19th century, connecting Mombasa to Kisumu. Today, much of the old line lies unused, replaced by modern tracks but remnants of its past remain scattered along the route, offering a glimpse into Kenya’s early rail history.

Abandoned stations, rusted carriages, and fading signs sit quietly beside busy modern towns. Travellers seeking a taste of nostalgia can visit the Railway Museum in Nairobi, then follow sections of the old line by road stopping at places like Voi or Tsavo, where railway workers once battled wildlife and isolation.

Travel tip: Combine your railway exploration with a safari in Tsavo National Park, the same region where the infamous “man-eating lions of Tsavo” once hunted during railway construction.

Grande Hotel Beira, Mozambique

In the coastal city of Beira stands the shell of what was once the most luxurious hotel in Africa. The Grande Hotel, built in the 1950s, boasted marble staircases, a massive swimming pool, and sweeping ocean views. But after Mozambique’s independence and civil war, it was abandoned and later became a refuge for displaced families.

Today, the building is crumbling yet captivating. Travellers interested in architecture and urban exploration can see the hotel’s haunting grandeur from the outside, its massive facade now overgrown with greenery and graffiti. It’s a powerful symbol of changing times and the resilience of the people who still live in its shadow.

Travel tip: While exploring Beira, take a walk along the beachfront and visit the nearby cathedral ruins for more glimpses of the city’s layered past.

Tips for exploring abandoned sites

• Go with local guides: they know safe routes, who owns what land, and the best stories.
• Travel light but prepared: sturdy shoes, gloves, torch, insect repellent; many sites aren’t maintained.
• Respect local communities: many “abandoned” towns still have people nearby; always check permissions and impact.
• Best time of day & year: early mornings/late afternoons for light; dry season for access.
• Photographer’s gear: a wide lens, tripod, and good weather protector for camera.

Why go

Abandoned places offer a rare kind of travel experience, one rooted in reflection and imagination. They invite you to slow down, listen, and see beauty in imperfection. From Namibia’s sand-swept mansions to Kenya’s forgotten tracks, Africa’s ghostly corners reveal more than just decay, they reveal persistence, adaptation, and the passage of time itself.

Whether you’re a photographer chasing cinematic landscapes, a history lover tracing colonial footprints, or simply an explorer drawn to the edges of the map, “Abandoned Africa” invites you to look closer. These places may be silent, but their stories still echo through every cracked wall and windblown corridor.

The best beach bars, hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on a drive down Florida’s Overseas Highway from Key Largo to Key West.

A drive down Florida’s Overseas Highway from Key Largo to Key West offers the perfect blend of eccentric bohemia and chic joie de vivre. As the mile markers decrease, Old Florida charm sharpens into focus. Strip malls hawking beach sundries and snorkeling tours along the upper reaches of U.S. 1 give way to dazzling turquoise flashes as the road becomes more bridge than highway. The route south is festooned with the Keys’ ubiquitous kitsch — a giant, spiny lobster presides over a local arts village, lipsticked manatees clutch mailboxes, and hand painted mermaids tempt passersby with the promise of sunset cocktails.

You could drive the 113-mile stretch in a little over three hours, but why would you want to? Road trips, especially one as iconic as this, are all about the stops along the way. So put the top down and cue Jimmy Buffet. Here’s our guide to the best the Florida Keys has to offer.

Key Largo

Ease yourself into the Keys’ laidback vibe just south of Homestead with a detour onto Card Sound Road. A stop into Alabama Jack’s is a must, especially if you’re a first-timer. The scrappy, waterside seafood shack has been the Keys’ unofficial welcome wagon since 1947 and serves some of the best conch fritters around. Live music and the line of Harleys outside add to the honky-tonk scene.

With your internal clock synced to island time, cruise over Card Sound Bridge and into Key Largo where you’ll find John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park at mile marker 102.5. Explore the park’s prolific marine life and a portion of the 360-mile Florida Reef Tract — North America’s only living coral barrier reef — on a guided snorkeling tour. Or rent kayaks and head out for a paddle through miles of mangrove-lined wilderness trails.

Key Largo is at the epicenter of sustainability efforts in the Florida Keys, especially when it comes to reef health. At the Coral Restoration Foundation, researchers are rearing and planting corals in undersea nurseries. For a unique experience, snorkelers and divers looking to add an eco-tourism stint to their travels can assist scientists with outplanting and reef monitoring at active restorations sites.

After a day of sea and sun, check into the breezy Baker’s Cay Resort, a lush retreat tucked into a secluded setting with gorgeous Florida Strait views. The resort partners with local environmental organizations to create eco-friendly guest programming. It was also the first resort in the Keys to join Reef Relief’s “Skip the Straw” campaign.

Islamorada

You could easily spend a few days hopping around the string of tiny islands that make up Islamorada and while you do, The Moorings Village is the perfect place to call home.

Built on a former coconut plantation, the resort is home to eight private cottages nestled amidst tropical landscaping just steps from the Atlantic. Eight-hundred palm trees dot the property, and there’s no shortage of hammocks for lounging beneath the verdant fronds.

Grab a paddleboard and head out for an ocean jaunt, watch the world go by from the cool shade of your porch, or while away a few hours by the gorgeous pool. If you can tear yourself away, single-speed beach cruisers are available for a pedal around town. Check out the galleries around the corner in the Morada Bay Arts and Cultural District — every third Thursday is the district’s evening art walk — or pop into the beer garden at the Florida Keys Brewing Company for a hyper-local tasting flight.

Robbie’s Marina, one of the Florida Keys’ most iconic landmarks, sits on the tip of Lower Matecumbe Key, about five miles south at mile marker 77.5. The epitome of the archipelago’s barefoot affability, Robbie’s is a waterside shantytown of sorts that includes an outdoor marketplace, a marine sports outpost, and the Hungry Tarpon restaurant, named for the school of enormous silver fish that have been circling the docks for decades. Seven bucks will get you a bucket of bait and admission to the dock, and feeding the leaping, thrashing creatures provides a memorable diversion.

Afterwards, head out for an eco-tour through Islamorada’s pristine waters with Captain Sam Zeher or just chill dockside with one of Robbie’s Trailer Trash Bloody Marys, complete with a beef-jerky straw.

When the dinner hour beckons, shake the sand from your toes and head to Pierre’s, an elegant plantation-style house with a wide verandah overlooking Florida Bay. A few miles north at Marker 88, the chef serves the kind of super-fresh seafood one would expect to find in the sportfishing capital of the world. Tuck into cracked coconut-crusted shrimp and fresh Florida lobster on the outdoor patio with a glass of fruity Chardonnay — for a relaxed joint, Marker 88 has an excellent wine list. At either spot, the famous Keys sunset is guaranteed to put on a memorable show.

Marathon

Even before Hemingway’s old man took to the sea, the Keys were a saltwater angler’s paradise, legendary for big game like sailfish, wahoo, and blue marlin. Though pulling a trophy fish from the ocean can be a thrill, sometimes the best part of casting a line is eating your catch later.

One of the best ways to do so is on a hook-and-cook adventure at Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key, a pocket-sized island about 20 miles south of Islamorada. When it comes to relaxation, the resort offers a stunning adults-only enclave called Oasis Cay.

Get out onto the water with lifelong conch (i.e., Florida Keys native) Captain Dave Perry, who has been fishing the Keys for decades and runs charters out of the Hawks Cay Marina with Captain Justin Brunk. In addition to blue water hunting, the two specialize in fishing the reef for snapper and grouper, fish that can later be blackened, grilled, or fried for a hyper-local meal at Angler and Ale, the resort’s dockside restaurant.

Connecting Marathon to the Lower Keys, the Seven-Mile Bridge is a highlight of any Keys road trip and driving it feels like being immersed in an ocean-themed movie. But before you do, take a ferry out to picturesque Pigeon Key for a dose of Keys history.

In the early 1900s, Florida tycoon Henry Flagler envisioned an Overseas Railroad linking mainland Florida to Key West. The project was nicknamed Flagler’s Folly — no one believed his ambitious plan would come to fruition — yet, despite naysayers, the rail line was finished in 1912 complete with the engineering marvel that became the Seven-Mile Bridge. During the railroad’s construction, more than 400 workers lived on Pigeon Key, which is now listed on the National Historic Register. Tours of the tiny island leave three times daily from the Pigeon Key Visitor’s Center and offer a deep dive into the story of the railroad, its ill-fated demise, and the scenic highway travelers drive today.

The Lower Keys

Take a detour for some beach bliss at Bahia Honda State Park, a 524-acre swath of nature tucked between the Atlantic and the Gulf. Don’t forget to drop by Sandspur Beach, long considered one of the best in the Keys.

On Big Pine Key, stop into the new Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Nature Center, which features exhibits spotlighting the Keys’ four wildlife refuges including the nearby National Key Deer Refuge. Established in 1957, the refuge protects approximately 9,200 acres of land on Big Pine and No Name Keys that serves as habitat for endangered Key Deer. Stick to the speed limit around here — the diminutive creatures have been known to dart into the road, especially at dawn and dusk.

About 30 minutes south, you’ll find authentic, Old Keys spirit on the docks of Geiger Key Marina at The Fish Camp. Founded by local restaurateurs Michelle and Bobby Mongelli, also behind the well-loved Hogfish Bar and Grill on nearby Stock Island, this open-air tiki bar and seafood joint claims to be on “the back side of paradise,” which certainly feels accurate when you’re sitting waterside with a plate of succulent Key West pink shrimp and a cold beer. The Sunday afternoon barbecue is legendary.

Head out to explore the labyrinth of waterways around Stock Island on a guided kayak tour with Lazy Dog Adventures. Trips leave from a tiny inlet on Cow Key Channel and wind through the mangrove tunnels and saltwater creeks hugging the edge of the Atlantic. The vibrant ecosystem provides a habitat for manatees, sea stars, tropical fish, and all kinds of shorebirds — many of which you’ll encounter while paddling through the Keys’ backcountry wilderness.

Key West

Key West exudes the same anything-goes bonhomie it did back in the day of rumrunners and speakeasies — only now it’s infused with a shot of modern flair. Colorful conch cottages line the streets of Old Town, swank cocktail salons mingle with celebrated watering holes on Duval, and feral fowl give new meaning to free-range as they strut along the sidewalks crowing with carefree abandon. It also has an eclectic mix of top-rated hotels to suit every traveler.

Find respite from the downtown bacchanalia at the Parrot Key Hotel and Villas. The entire property breathes Old Key West charm. Walkways edged with white-picket fences wind through tropical gardens past hidden swimming pools and quaint, two-story clapboard bungalows. Bright-blue Adirondack chairs sit on covered porches, hammocks swing beneath shady palms, and ceiling fans spin lazily overhead at The Grove, the resort’s new open-air restaurant. Parrot Key’s complimentary shuttle delivers guests throughout the day to either a private beach club at Smathers Beach or to the heart of Old Town. For a DIY adventure, a fleet of single-speed beach cruisers invites exploration.

At four miles long and two miles wide, Key West is made for biking. Pedal through dappled sunlight along Whitehead Street to the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. Inside, passionate docents supply a glimpse into the profound yet tragic genius of one of the Lost Generation’s most colorful characters. Pay further tribute to Papa at the Hemingway Rum Company, which produces the award-winning Papa’s Pilar, named for the author’s beloved fishing boat. The company’s flagship headquarters, housed in a former tobacco warehouse, is part distillery, part tasting room, and part museum. Find a spot at the bar and sample delicious, dark and blonde Solera-blended rums amidst all variety of Hemingway-themed ephemera.

When the sun starts to set, climb aboard Danger Charters’ elegant, three-masted schooner for a wine-tasting sail that offers a polished alternative to the nightly circus — think fire juggling acrobats and hoop-jumping cats — at Mallory Square. Or take a quick jaunt on the private ferry to Sunset Key for a gastronomical adventure overlooking the Gulf of Mexico at Latitudes, the signature restaurant at Sunset Key Cottages. There, you’ll dine on yellowtail, grouper, or cobia by the light of tiki torches with your toes in the sand. Innovative cocktails, crisp white tablecloths, and dreamy island views round out a memorable evening.

Here’s everything you need to know before traveling on Amtrak.

Riding the rails — it’s a beloved experience that many prefer to plane or car travel. There are no security lines and no traffic, plus the benefit of wider seats and more legroom. But among those who don’t travel Amtrak regularly, it’s common to hear complaints about ticket fares, the lack of luxury offerings more commonly seen with air travel, as well as the boarding and exiting frenzies famous in places like New York’s Penn Station and Washington, D.C.’s Union Station.

We can dispel some of these myths. With a little advance planning and some well-trod intel, you can enjoy the best that train travel can offer in a way that works for your budget and peace of mind. Read on for our Amtrak tips, then get ready to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Plan Ahead

Many people think of train travel as a last-minute getaway option (and they should, last-minute fare deals are out there — more on that below), but planning ahead will always work to your advantage. “The more in advance you make your travel decision, the better off you are,” says Marc Magliari, a spokesman for Amtrak. “Your best chance to get the lowest price is to book as far in advance as possible.”

Booking your trip at least three to four weeks before you depart can give you drastically lower fares, often 50 percent less than what you’ll see within two weeks of your departure and return dates. Magliari also notes that sleeping compartments for overnight trains often sell out farther in advance — so bear that in mind for long trips.

Know About Discounts

Magliari recommends that travelers head to the deals section on Amtrak’s website before purchasing a ticket. There, you may find offers for 25 percent off a trip on Acela, the high-speed business class train on the Northeast corridor, or reduced fares for getaways to New Orleans or Miami.

You don’t have to wait for special offers, either. Amtrak has standing discounts for children, who get half-price fares from age two to age 12 (infants under two ride for free), senior travelers, active military personnel as well as veterans, and more. Select these options when booking, and you’ll regularly get a percentage off of a standard fare.

Check Out a Station Lounge

Though station lounges aren’t quite up to par with some of the luxury offerings that airlines are investing in, Amtrak does have several types of private lounges for Acela Express First Class passengers, sleeping car passengers, Amtrak Guest Rewards Select Plus, and Select Executive members.

With free beverages and snacks, internet access, and TVs, as well as attendants who can help you with your trip, they’re a great way to spend time before departure. Magliari also notes that this is an area Amtrak is investing in — there are new options for buying day passes to lounges, too.

Make Use of Red Cap

Carrying bags? You’ll want to opt for Red Cap service, a free baggage handling service available at 12 major stations nationwide. Most travelers don’t realize Red Cap is available to all travelers. Look for the people in uniformed red shirts, show them your ticket, and they’ll escort you and your bags to your train, allowing you to board early. You can pick where you want to sit, and they’ll stash your bags for you; upon arrival at your destination, a conductor can set up a Red Cap for you when you de-board. Note: though this is a free service, tipping is recommended — especially during heavily trafficked times, like the holidays.

Consider the Quiet Car

Several lines on Amtrak reserve one Quiet Car per train — an entire car where all passengers adhere to a blissful library-like atmosphere, eschewing cell phone use, keeping conversation to a minimum, and politely donning headphones for their devices. If you don’t want to talk to your seatmate or hear someone else’s music the whole ride, this is the car for you.

Join the Rewards Program

If you’re interested in taking the train more than a handful of times a year, Amtrak Guest Rewards quickly becomes worth it. You earn two points for every dollar you spend on Amtrak or with partners like Hertz, Hilton Hotels, and more. You can redeem points for Amtrak reward travel (beginning at just 800 points), hotels, car rentals, and gift cards. Once you hit certain levels, like Select and Select Plus, you get more perks (upgrade coupons, lounge access), and your reward point earnings increase even more. Bonus: unused points won’t expire until there hasn’t been any qualifying activity for 24 months, giving you plenty of time to redeem them.