Take a Pillow

A pillow is your best ally for making sure you stay physically comfortable while riding on a bus. Whether you need support for your lumbar region or a place to rest your head as you try to get some shut-eye, pillows are a key ally in the fight for comfort while doing some bus travel.

Motion Sickness Prep

Traveling on a bus can be a disorienting experience for your stomach, as nausea is a common problem thanks to your inability to see the horizon and the bumpiness and curviness of the roads. Take medication like Dramamine or natural supplements like peppermint to feel better.

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A post shared by Cris Evert Lato-Ruffolo (@backpacklady86)

Earphones In

Unfortunately, buses can be a noisy place especially if you have chatty people onboard or if your bus is old and its engines make a racket. Take some headphones with you, which will allow you to listen to calming music or watch a film in peace.

The post Tips For Traveling Comfortably On a Bus appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Use Meet-Up Apps

There are a number of apps that you can use to connect with potential new friends while in a new place. From Meetup to Tinder Social, these apps use your geographic location to point you in the direction of people near you who are looking to hang out with others.

Stay in a Hostel

Not only is a hostel typically the most affordable option while traveling alone, but it offers a perfect opportunity for you to meet other like-minded solo travelers. Spend time in the lobby or in the kitchen to meet folks, or join one of the meet-up events that the hostel will surely host.

Sign Up for Tourist Activities

One great way to find other people who are traveling alone or in small groups is by signing up for tourist activities like city walking tours. Here, you are likely to find other people who might be looking for folks to join up with and spend time with in a foreign city.

The post Strategies for Meeting New People When Solo Traveling appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Legroom is King

No matter where you are traveling or how long the flight is, the number one thing which contributes to your comfiness and happiness on an airplane is the amount of legroom you have. Always try for aisle or exit row seats that give you space to stretch out, especially if you are tall.

Paying to “Upgrade” Isn’t Always Worth It

Airlines have begun offering “upgrades” which allow you to move to seats with supposedly more legroom if you pay while booking. However, keep in mind that the cost probably outweighs the benefit and that there is a good chance that some of these seats will be vacant and open for the taking when you board.

Check the Seat Map to Game the System

The online seat map for flights is a great tool that you can use in order to “game” the system when looking for a good seat. You might see that there is a large section without any other passengers, which could give you lots of space to spread out.

The post 3 Secrets About Choosing Your Plane Seat appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Pack Warm

No matter when or where you go camping, there is one truism that always pops up during the middle of the night: it’s going to be cold. Be sure to pack warmer clothes than you think you’ll need in order to avoid suffering through unexpectedly low overnight temperatures.

Embrace Nature

Let’s get one thing straight: going camping isn’t about being hooked on your smartphone 24/7 or touring your country’s hottest restaurants. It’s about connecting with and embracing the beauty and serenity of nature. Don’t think about “modern” delights; enjoy what you are immersed in!

Fun Activities

Camping can end up being a little bit repetitive if you go for a longer period of time without preparing and bringing things with you to do. For example, be sure to throw your fishing rods in the car if you’re camping near a river or lake, or board games if going with children.

The post 3 Ways Camping Novices Can Prepare for Their First Trip to the Woods appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Vlogging has a certain stigma attached to it, with many believing that you have to be a professional YouTuber or social media influencer in order to do it. However, that could not be further from the truth!

This practice, which essentially involves recording video and commentating on the things that you see, the places that you visit, and the experiences that you have, can be published on the internet for all to see or kept for personal use and shared only with friends and family.

While pictures and memories are nice, taking videos and hearing the excitement in your voice and talking about your impressions while traveling, solo or with friends and/or family, is a great way to make these memories more vivid and engaging.

It might seem a little strange to always keep a camera with you and record as you travel, but you’ll get used to it and you’ll find that the benefits of vlogging your trips far outweigh the negatives.

Give vlogging a try on your next trip and create a whole new type of travel memories!

The post Vlogging Your Travels Can Make Amazing, Long-Lasting Memories appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Smartphones are especially useful when on a trip, as they bring all kinds of tools and information to the tips of your fingers. From cameras to maps to reviews to social media, the amount of usefulness that smartphones provide cannot be denied.

Tech-friendly travelers are especially likely to use their smartphones while traveling, and many have encountered a dilemma: how can I use my device to its fullest potential while ensuring that it will remain charged and usable all day long? The best solution is to invest in a portable charger!

While it might sound onerous and burdensome at first, carrying around one of these mini “bricks” with a cord attached can be a lifesaver if you are a techie traveler. Rechargeable at your hotel room every night, carrying this gadget with you will allow you to use all of the apps and take all of the photos that you need to make the most of your day without having to worry about your battery life.

As we start to plan for our next trips, if you don’t have a portable charger yet, be sure to add it to your list of items to pick up!

The post A Portable Charger is a Must for Techie Travelers appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

It’s Not Always Sunny and Warm

While you might imagine that a cruise would always feature sunny and warm weather, this isn’t the case. The temperature can dip into “chilly” territory at night and there always seem to be a couple of pop-up rain showers too. Take a rain jacket and a sweatshirt or two!

Be Prepared for Motion Sickness

Cruise ships are built to minimize the effects of the rocking of the ocean, but sometimes, the waves can have your stomach turning no matter how resistant the vessel is. Take Dramamine or another anti-nausea medicine with you in order to prevent spending time feeling sick.

Research and Plan Your Excursions Beforehand

A key part of any cruise is the excursions that you can make when the ship stops at any coastal port and gives you a day to explore. Many of these excursions, however, fill up quickly and might not be taken advantage of if you don’t plan ahead of time. Be sure to do so in order to make the best of these stops!

The post 3 Things You Need to Know Before Your First Long-Distance Cruise appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Know Your Options

In most cities, you will have multiple options for getting around on public transportation. What many people fail to realize, however, is that certain options may be more expensive than others. Be sure to check prices for each available public transportation option and don’t be afraid to choose the cheapest one.

Buy a Multi-Day Pass

If you are planning to use a city’s public transportation system with regularity during your visit, you will almost always find that it is cheaper to buy a multi-day or multi-trip pass that gives you discounted fares on individual rides. Do some research on the public transportation system’s website before you leave in order to know what your best option is.

Travel Off-Peak

Many cities with public transportation systems have implemented a scheme in which it is cheaper to travel during off-peak hours than it is during the times when people are generally commuting. Leave early and go back to your hotel late if you want to save on fares.

The post 3 Ways to Save on Public Transportation While Traveling appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

One way to start getting prepared for your next trip out-of-country is to study the language of wherever you are planning to visit. These three free apps will help you do so!

Duolingo

Duolingo is one of the most popular language-learning apps in the world, and you can access all of its contents completely free! With a selection of 23 languages that you can learn, you can practice anywhere you want on your mobile phone to start from scratch and work your way up to proficiency.

Memrise

Are you a fan of flashcards? Memrise is like this classic school studying technique but bigger and better, as you will use their virtual and interactive flashcards to learn mostly vocabulary and phrases. If you like repetitive learning, you’ll love Memrise!

Tandem

Are you starting to feel confident about what you have learned in a foreign language? If so, Tandem is an app that you can use to connect with native speakers of that language around the world for a chat. You can try both audio calls and messaging to practice comprehension, writing, and speaking!

The post 3 Free Apps to Help You Learn a Language for Future Travels appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Avoid the Buffet

Cruise ships generally offer up several dining options, one of which tends to be a buffet. It can be risky business, however, to eat food and touch food handling equipment that has been in contact with all kinds of other people. It’s safest to avoid eating at the buffets.

Carry Hand Sanitizer

You will always want to sanitize your hands after touching any object which is touched by others on the ship. Hand sanitizers do a great job of eliminating any potentially harmful microbes that could get you sick.

Be Prepared for Seasickness

Not only is it easy to potentially become the victim of a virus or bacteria on a cruise ship, but it’s also easy to get seasick due to the constantly-moving waves. You can take medicine like Dramamine or simply avoid potentially nausea-triggering behaviors like reading or using a computer.

The post How to Stay Healthy on Your Next Cruise  appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Take a Pillow

A pillow is your best ally for making sure you stay physically comfortable while riding on a bus. Whether you need support for your lumbar region or a place to rest your head as you try to get some shut-eye, pillows are a key ally in the fight for comfort while doing some bus travel.

Motion Sickness Prep

Traveling on a bus can be a disorienting experience for your stomach, as nausea is a common problem thanks to your inability to see the horizon and the bumpiness and curviness of the roads. Take medication like Dramamine or natural supplements like peppermint to feel better.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cris Evert Lato-Ruffolo (@backpacklady86)

Earphones In

Unfortunately, buses can be a noisy place especially if you have chatty people onboard or if your bus is old and its engines make a racket. Take some headphones with you, which will allow you to listen to calming music or watch a film in peace.

The post Tips For Traveling Comfortably On a Bus appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Use Meet-Up Apps

There are a number of apps that you can use to connect with potential new friends while in a new place. From Meetup to Tinder Social, these apps use your geographic location to point you in the direction of people near you who are looking to hang out with others.

Stay in a Hostel

Not only is a hostel typically the most affordable option while traveling alone, but it offers a perfect opportunity for you to meet other like-minded solo travelers. Spend time in the lobby or in the kitchen to meet folks, or join one of the meet-up events that the hostel will surely host.

Sign Up for Tourist Activities

One great way to find other people who are traveling alone or in small groups is by signing up for tourist activities like city walking tours. Here, you are likely to find other people who might be looking for folks to join up with and spend time with in a foreign city.

The post Strategies for Meeting New People When Solo Traveling appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Legroom is King

No matter where you are traveling or how long the flight is, the number one thing which contributes to your comfiness and happiness on an airplane is the amount of legroom you have. Always try for aisle or exit row seats that give you space to stretch out, especially if you are tall.

Paying to “Upgrade” Isn’t Always Worth It

Airlines have begun offering “upgrades” which allow you to move to seats with supposedly more legroom if you pay while booking. However, keep in mind that the cost probably outweighs the benefit and that there is a good chance that some of these seats will be vacant and open for the taking when you board.

Check the Seat Map to Game the System

The online seat map for flights is a great tool that you can use in order to “game” the system when looking for a good seat. You might see that there is a large section without any other passengers, which could give you lots of space to spread out.

The post 3 Secrets About Choosing Your Plane Seat appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Pack Warm

No matter when or where you go camping, there is one truism that always pops up during the middle of the night: it’s going to be cold. Be sure to pack warmer clothes than you think you’ll need in order to avoid suffering through unexpectedly low overnight temperatures.

Embrace Nature

Let’s get one thing straight: going camping isn’t about being hooked on your smartphone 24/7 or touring your country’s hottest restaurants. It’s about connecting with and embracing the beauty and serenity of nature. Don’t think about “modern” delights; enjoy what you are immersed in!

Fun Activities

Camping can end up being a little bit repetitive if you go for a longer period of time without preparing and bringing things with you to do. For example, be sure to throw your fishing rods in the car if you’re camping near a river or lake, or board games if going with children.

The post 3 Ways Camping Novices Can Prepare for Their First Trip to the Woods appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Vlogging has a certain stigma attached to it, with many believing that you have to be a professional YouTuber or social media influencer in order to do it. However, that could not be further from the truth!

This practice, which essentially involves recording video and commentating on the things that you see, the places that you visit, and the experiences that you have, can be published on the internet for all to see or kept for personal use and shared only with friends and family.

While pictures and memories are nice, taking videos and hearing the excitement in your voice and talking about your impressions while traveling, solo or with friends and/or family, is a great way to make these memories more vivid and engaging.

It might seem a little strange to always keep a camera with you and record as you travel, but you’ll get used to it and you’ll find that the benefits of vlogging your trips far outweigh the negatives.

Give vlogging a try on your next trip and create a whole new type of travel memories!

The post Vlogging Your Travels Can Make Amazing, Long-Lasting Memories appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Smartphones are especially useful when on a trip, as they bring all kinds of tools and information to the tips of your fingers. From cameras to maps to reviews to social media, the amount of usefulness that smartphones provide cannot be denied.

Tech-friendly travelers are especially likely to use their smartphones while traveling, and many have encountered a dilemma: how can I use my device to its fullest potential while ensuring that it will remain charged and usable all day long? The best solution is to invest in a portable charger!

While it might sound onerous and burdensome at first, carrying around one of these mini “bricks” with a cord attached can be a lifesaver if you are a techie traveler. Rechargeable at your hotel room every night, carrying this gadget with you will allow you to use all of the apps and take all of the photos that you need to make the most of your day without having to worry about your battery life.

As we start to plan for our next trips, if you don’t have a portable charger yet, be sure to add it to your list of items to pick up!

The post A Portable Charger is a Must for Techie Travelers appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

It’s Not Always Sunny and Warm

While you might imagine that a cruise would always feature sunny and warm weather, this isn’t the case. The temperature can dip into “chilly” territory at night and there always seem to be a couple of pop-up rain showers too. Take a rain jacket and a sweatshirt or two!

Be Prepared for Motion Sickness

Cruise ships are built to minimize the effects of the rocking of the ocean, but sometimes, the waves can have your stomach turning no matter how resistant the vessel is. Take Dramamine or another anti-nausea medicine with you in order to prevent spending time feeling sick.

Research and Plan Your Excursions Beforehand

A key part of any cruise is the excursions that you can make when the ship stops at any coastal port and gives you a day to explore. Many of these excursions, however, fill up quickly and might not be taken advantage of if you don’t plan ahead of time. Be sure to do so in order to make the best of these stops!

The post 3 Things You Need to Know Before Your First Long-Distance Cruise appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Know Your Options

In most cities, you will have multiple options for getting around on public transportation. What many people fail to realize, however, is that certain options may be more expensive than others. Be sure to check prices for each available public transportation option and don’t be afraid to choose the cheapest one.

Buy a Multi-Day Pass

If you are planning to use a city’s public transportation system with regularity during your visit, you will almost always find that it is cheaper to buy a multi-day or multi-trip pass that gives you discounted fares on individual rides. Do some research on the public transportation system’s website before you leave in order to know what your best option is.

Travel Off-Peak

Many cities with public transportation systems have implemented a scheme in which it is cheaper to travel during off-peak hours than it is during the times when people are generally commuting. Leave early and go back to your hotel late if you want to save on fares.

The post 3 Ways to Save on Public Transportation While Traveling appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

One way to start getting prepared for your next trip out-of-country is to study the language of wherever you are planning to visit. These three free apps will help you do so!

Duolingo

Duolingo is one of the most popular language-learning apps in the world, and you can access all of its contents completely free! With a selection of 23 languages that you can learn, you can practice anywhere you want on your mobile phone to start from scratch and work your way up to proficiency.

Memrise

Are you a fan of flashcards? Memrise is like this classic school studying technique but bigger and better, as you will use their virtual and interactive flashcards to learn mostly vocabulary and phrases. If you like repetitive learning, you’ll love Memrise!

Tandem

Are you starting to feel confident about what you have learned in a foreign language? If so, Tandem is an app that you can use to connect with native speakers of that language around the world for a chat. You can try both audio calls and messaging to practice comprehension, writing, and speaking!

The post 3 Free Apps to Help You Learn a Language for Future Travels appeared first on Traveler Dreams.

Avoid the Buffet

Cruise ships generally offer up several dining options, one of which tends to be a buffet. It can be risky business, however, to eat food and touch food handling equipment that has been in contact with all kinds of other people. It’s safest to avoid eating at the buffets.

Carry Hand Sanitizer

You will always want to sanitize your hands after touching any object which is touched by others on the ship. Hand sanitizers do a great job of eliminating any potentially harmful microbes that could get you sick.

Be Prepared for Seasickness

Not only is it easy to potentially become the victim of a virus or bacteria on a cruise ship, but it’s also easy to get seasick due to the constantly-moving waves. You can take medicine like Dramamine or simply avoid potentially nausea-triggering behaviors like reading or using a computer.

The post How to Stay Healthy on Your Next Cruise  appeared first on Traveler Dreams.