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Are You Good Bro? How to Tell If Someone Is on Drugs by Looking at Them

Have you noticed a friend or loved one has changed lately? Do they look or act like they may have a problem?

It can be hard to tell if a friend or loved one is just out of sorts or on drugs by looking at them, but there are some telltale signs to pay attention to. 

Keep reading to learn some effective ways how to tell if someone is on drugs by looking at them.

How to Tell If Someone Is on Drugs by Looking at Them in the Eyes

A person’s eyes are usually one of the biggest indicators that they’re impaired.

Dilated Pupils

If they looked more glazed than a Krispy Kreme donut or dilated to the size of saucers, you may be dealing with a drug such as amphetamines, cocaine, MDMA or LSD.

There are other causes of dilated pupils such as prescribed medications, health issues, or even sexual attraction. However, dilated pupils with glazed eyes and other signs are a definite red flag.

Bloodshot and Watery

Alcohol and marijuana may cause a slow reaction and recovery time to light that lasts a few hours, but they will not generally cause dilated pupils.

Bloodshot and watery eyes will be more of the tip-off about weed or alcohol.

Dark Circles

If you notice dark circles around their eyes, it could be a sign of more than a late night. It’s not uncommon for this to occur when someone is on drugs.

They may look sleep deprived or like they are fighting to stay awake. This could be due to impairment.

Eye Movement

Jittery or fast moving squinty eyes may be a sign of light sensitivity of a stimulant drug intoxication. Eyes that are slow to respond, heavy looking, and sleepy can be caused by marijuana or a depressant.

Complexion and Skin Condition

Various drugs have different effects on people’s skin. Someone who is using hard drugs like meth or opioids may have extremely dry skin, visible sores, itching, and look flushed or bluish in tone.

Cocaine and oxycodone often cause a flushed appearance as well due to changes in blood pressure.

You may find others breaking out with acne or appearing malnourished and pale. Alcohol and various prescription drugs can affect the liver and cause a yellow complexion.

Dehydration is often an issue with drug abuse, which also causes a dry and pale appearance along with lack of elasticity to the skin.

The Way They Move

Someone who’s impaired by drugs will likely show signs of it in the way they move.

Depending on the drug they’re using, you’ll notice different characteristics to look for. Someone taking barbituates is going to move in an awkward almost slow motion fashion compared to someone on amphetamines who may be constantly moving in a nervous or jittery manner.

Difficulty walking in a straight line is one we all know for alcohol or weed from every cop show on TV. Remember the classic roadside sobriety tests that show drunk people falling over, weaving, and unable to walk straight.

Their Eating Habits and Weight

Taking drugs usually affects one’s eating habits. Some drugs will cause people to eat more which can lead to weight gain. Others cause a loss of appetite and erratic eating schedule.

Chemicals that speed up the metabolism may cause someone to lose weight quickly. Depressants will slow down the metabolism and may cause an increase in appetite or a need for “munchies”.

Hygiene and General Appearance

Changes in someone’s general appearance and hygiene habits can be a noticeable indication that something’s up. 

As mentioned earlier, their complexion will look sickly or flushed and may generally have a look of being unhealthy.

They may lose interest in their personal hygiene or show any concern about their appearance.

Some stimulants or hallucinogenic substances could have the opposite reaction where someone becomes obsessed or fixated on certain details or features about their appearance.

Mental Signs of Drug Use

While a person’s physical changes are often apparent when using drugs, it may be their mental state that will first make you wonder if they are using drugs in the first place.

Sleep Habits

Many people will first notice a change in a loved one’s sleeping habits by them either staying up for days with a stimulant or sleeping at odd hours and being lethargic without explanation.

While this could be a sign of other mental health issues or a physical condition, sleeping and eating habit changes are apparent in drug abuse.

Social Interactions

Someone who is stoned may become giggly, philosophical, pensive, or paranoid while under the influence of the drug.

Marijuana causes some to become social butterflies while others will end up smoking the day away sitting in one position on their couch. Perhaps they used to share your passion for traveling but now have no money or even an interest in planning a new adventure.

Drug users may become secretive, nervous, or defensive when asked a question or engaged in conversations. If currently under the influence, they may have trouble finishing a thought or even forming words.

Lack of Concentration or Interest

Drug use often replaces any other interests and can cause users to lose interest in activities they previously prioritized. They may become less dependable or focused when interacting with you or others.

They may experience hallucinations, be unable to complete a thought, miss appointments, deadlines, and social engagements.

Ways to Help Someone Who’s Using Drugs

It can be difficult to know what to do when someone you love is using drugs. There are lots of resources and addiction treatment services to help those with addiction problems. Many resources are also available for their loved ones.

Express Your Concern and Show Support

A solid support network is often the difference between a recovered addict and one spiraling downwards. While it’s not a deciding factor on someone doing drugs, their support network can be a catalyst in getting them recovery.

Accentuate the Positive, Eliminate the Negative

Make sure your loved one has options to keep them focussed on positive activities rather than opportunities to use drugs. Give them the gift of time so they know they’re not alone and so they have the option to spend time with you instead of out doing drugs.

Seek Help

Suggest and encourage help through non-judgemental and proactively supportive communication. Support groups, therapy, and rehabilitation or treatment programs provide added resources and knowledge than trying to handle an addiction on your own.

Knowledge Is Power

Communicating with your loved one and observing the changes in appearance and behavior is key. This is usually how to tell if someone is on drugs by looking at them as a whole.

If you’re worried about your significant other or a friend, spend some time together and observe them as the two of you travel through life.

Check out our blog posts on suggestions of places to get away from it all or trips to experience it all and other topics.

Not-So-High-Rollers: Casino Tips and Tricks for Beginners

Are you about to take your first steps into a casino? It’s easy to get caught up in the atmosphere of the place but you shouldn’t do that if you want to walk out richer than you came in. 

Your first time to a casino can be overwhelming if you’ve never played before. You could be left with placing bets just to place bets. It’s better to go in with a strategy and we’re going to tell you how to create one.

Here are a few basic casino tips and tricks to give yourself a little competitive edge so you don’t leave the casino with your head held low.  

1. Basic Tips

Whether you play at a physical casino or in online casinos in the UK each one has their basic tips that you can use to get by if you’re a newbie. Here are a few of these basic concepts to live by.  

Know Your Limits

One of the biggest mistakes new players make is not quitting while they are ahead. It’s best to set out a certain amount that you’d be willing to lose before you walk in. This will make it less likely that you go over your limit. 

You don’t want to accidentally gamble away your rent or grocery money for example. Also, once you’ve won a good amount, you want to stop, otherwise, you’ll just gamble away everything you won. 

Say Cheese 

In casinos, there are cameras everywhere. So chances are if you cheat in any way the camera is going to catch it so it’s best that you don’t.

However, these cameras can also help you if there is a dispute over a card shuffle or if a thief steals your bag. Take advantage of these cameras. 

2. Tips for Slots

Slots are the most popular game at the casino because they are so easy to play. All you have to do is push a button and wait to see if you win or lose. They are pretty straightforward, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some helpful slots tips that you should keep in mind.  

How They Work 

Slots work in favor for the house about ten or so percent of the time but it varies from casino to casino. It works off a random number generator so you win off pure luck, not skill like in the table games. 

Strategies 

You should play on a fixed maximum playout machine rather than a progressive one. This is because there is always a large number of people that play the progressive ones so your chances of winning are smaller. It doesn’t just make it hard to win the jackpot either, you’ll be lucky if you get much of anything. 

Speaking of jackpots, the slots with the huge jackpots aren’t the only way to go. It’s actually a better idea to go for the ones with smaller prizes. It’s easier to win at these, so this strategy can increase your chances.

3. Tips for Table Games 

The first thing to know about the table games is that you will lose some. No matter how good you are at them, the odds are always in favor of the casino and the house isn’t afraid to play dirty to make sure spend your last buck. 

There are a few things that you can do to increase your winnings and stop while you’re ahead when it comes to the table games. 

Eye the Time 

One of the reasons why you end up playing through your entire checking and savings account is because you lose track of time. If you look around once you enter the casino you’ll notice you won’t see a clock anywhere, there is a reason for this. 

If you lose track of the time you’re more likely to continue to play for hours on end. To avoid this, play until you’ve gotten a decent wad in your pocket or you’ve spent your limit, check the time, and leave. 

Don’t Play Keno 

If you want to use up all your money with no return profit than by all means sink your money into Keno. The truth is with this game, your odds are awful because for most casinos it rules in their favor over thirty percent of the time. 

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize 

Remember when we said that casinos play dirty? They tend to provide you with tons of distractions so you’ll make reckless choices and lose. For example, if you go to a party pit casino they up the anty with beautiful women and free alcohol. 

As much fun as this is, your chances of losing at a party pit are very high so you’ll want to go with an online casino or a classic one. 

4. Strategies for Roulette 

The house only has about a five percent advantage at roulette. This doesn’t mean that you’ll win every time, it just means your chances are high. When it comes to roulette you definitely want to quit while you’re ahead. 

If you play a few quick games and rake in some cash stop because if you draw it out and play a ton of games, the house will eventually take all of your chips. 

5. Stay Away from Alcohol 

One thing about casinos is that they will offer you a ton of free drinks. This is because alcohol impairs your senses and causes you to make very poor choices while you’re under the influence. 

So, when a waitress comes by and offers you a drink, the best idea would be to decline it and focus on winning. 

Casino Tips and Tricks to Help You Win Big

Casinos are an entertaining way to win cash but they have tricks up their sleeves to make sure things rule out in their favor. Use these casino tips and tricks to stay focused and keep yourself from walking out with empty pockets.

Do you need a little guidance? For more helpful tips like these, visit our life tips section. 

Because I’m Happy: How to Fight off Depression and Live a Happy Life

Depression is a mental health disorder that affects more than 16 million Americans every year. It also affects more than 300 million people worldwide on an annual basis.

If you’ve been diagnosed with depression, you know that it can make it difficult for you to live a happy life. No matter how hard you try to fight depression, it can bring you down and impact your mood for days and even weeks at a time.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do whatever you can to fight back against depression. There are steps that you can take to reduce the symptoms of depression and live a happier life.

Here are just a few of the things you can try in an effort to get the upper hand on depression once and for all.

Talk to Your Doctor About Your Depression

There are far too many people who suffer in silence when it comes to depression. They’re afraid to talk to their doctors about how they’re feeling and don’t ever bother to bring it up.

Don’t be one of these people! If you suspect that depression might be taking a toll on you, speak with your doctor about it. Your doctor will be able to screen you for depression to see if you have the symptoms most commonly associated with it.

From there, your doctor can tell you which steps you need to take to get the right treatment for depression.

Start Seeing a Psychologist Regularly

One of the things your doctor may recommend after you speak with them is to start seeing a psychologist on a regular basis. A psychologist is someone who can talk to you about how you’re feeling and help you process your emotions more effectively.

If your doctor suggests that you go and talk to a psychologist, you should take their advice and schedule an appointment. If nothing else, a psychologist can offer you a full evaluation and let you know whether or not they believe you have clinical depression.

At that point, a psychologist may also recommend a trip to a psychiatrist for further evaluation. A psychiatrist can speak with you about the different medications that are available to those who have been diagnosed with depression.

Surround Yourself With Family and Friends More Often

There is nothing wrong with turning to anti-depressant medications if you’re suffering from depression. But that shouldn’t be seen as a cure-all for your mood disorder. There are other steps you should take to lead a happy life.

For example, you should make it a point to surround yourself with your family members and friends more often than you are now. Many people suffering from depression tend to withdraw from socializing, and it really impacts their mood.

When you socialize with people, it’ll give your mood a boost, even if you don’t necessarily notice it at the moment. It’ll also allow you to speak with people about how you’re feeling if you’re up for it.

There are so many people in your life who want to see you happy. Rely on them to be your support system when times get tough.

Get More Exercise and Maintain a Healthy Diet

How often do you exercise right now? If you’re not working out regularly, you could be missing out on treating your depression with one of the most natural methods available to you.

Studies have shown that exercising can actually have the same impact on your body and mind that anti-depressant drugs do. Working out can make you feel good by releasing endorphins that boost your mood. It’s why you should think about getting more exercise if depression has become a problem for you.

You should also strive to maintain a healthy diet. If you’re eating nothing but junk food right now, that could be affecting you a whole lot more than you think.

Avoid Self-Medicating With Alcohol and/or Drugs

When you’re feeling low due to depression, you’ll do just about anything to feel better. And unfortunately, that means that many people end up turning to alcohol and/or drugs to improve their mood when they’re depressed.

They do it, in part, because it works…at least for a little while. When you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you’ll trick yourself into feeling a whole lot better than you did before.

However, once the alcohol or drugs wear off, your depression will come roaring back, and often times, it’ll be even worse than it was. On top of the depression, you’ll be riddled with guilt tied to your alcohol or drug use.

It’s best to abstain from using alcohol and drugs when you’re depressed. They’re only going to complicate things even more.

Consider Using CBD Oil to Deal With Depression

While using drugs is obviously not the way to go when you’re trying to fight off depression, there is some evidence that suggests natural CBD oil might be able to help you out.

As you’ll see in this helpful article, CBD oil may be able to help balance out your body’s serotonin and dopamine levels. When this happens, you’ll feel better about your life and regain a lot of the energy that depression steals from you.

If you’ve tried to use most of the other methods to fight off depression and come up empty, it couldn’t hurt to give something like CBD oil a try.

Don’t Let Depression Stop You From Living a Happy Life

It’s easy to lose all hope of living a happy life when you have depression. Depression can leave you feeling like you’re all alone in this world.

But there are so many things that you can try to fight back against depression. You might not always feel like doing it when your mood is low, but once you start to see real results, you’ll be encouraged to keep fighting to regain your freedom from depression.

Would you like to learn some other ways to fight off depression? Read our blog to see how traveling might do the trick.

Traveling in Twos: 5 Tips for Traveling as a Couple

Experts are touting happiness and romance as the benefits of traveling in relationships. As if anyone needed another reason to travel, right? Now, couples can claim strengthening their relationships as a reason to vacation more.

Couples traveling may take some getting used to if you’re not accustomed to it. There are tips and tricks to help make it easier.

A Guide to Couples Traveling

Traveling alone is easy, but it’s not always as fulfilling. Follow these tips to make vacations with your significant other a great experience.

1. Time Apart

While spending quality time with each is critical, so is space. Those who are deemed perfect couples are the ones who have a great balance.

Traveling together strengthens relationships, but so does giving the other room to breathe. If you’re always on top of one another, how are you supposed to miss each other’s presence? It’s important to recognize the benefits of doing your own thing.

2. Be Helpful

People don’t realize how hard traveling is until they’re doing it. And couples traveling around the world have it even harder at times.

That’s why it’s important to be supportive of each other during the stressful times. Not everything will go according to plan, so don’t freak out on each other when times get hard.

Communication is the very foundation of working together. If you and you’re partner struggle with this aspect, traveling can either help or hinder.

If you feel you need help, don’t hesitate to ask for it. See more about how to work on your communication skills at Our Relationship. There’s so much you can learn as a couple by combining travel with couples’ courses.

3. Be Money Wise

When you’re in a new place, it’s easy to get caught up in spending. If you want to mitigate guilt though, be wise. Learning to budget according to travel plans is critical.

Thing or experiences that will contribute to more memories are the best. Also, more couples fight over money. So, if you want to stay away from arguing, communicate about money needs.

4. Planning as a Couple

Making decisions as a single person is easy. But when you add someone else to the mix, feelings can get hurt. That’s why it’s important to be considerate of the other’s ideas when planning a trip.

The best vacations and trips are the ones where everyone gets to do what they want. The best part of being a supportive partner is watching your S.O. do something they’ve always wanted to do.

Listen, be supportive, and shoulder the decision making. These are key elements to a smooth trip.

5. Be Adventurous

One of the best parts of taking trips is stepping outside your comfort zone.

Don’t hesitate to be adventurous as a couple and do things out of the ordinary. It’s exciting, and it can help form better bonds between people. Don’t forget to take pictures so you’ll have the memory.

More Travel Advice

Couples traveling is fulfilling and can bring people closer than ever before. If you’re thinking about taking a vacation with your partner, don’t hesitate. It’ll broaden both of your horizons.

Learn more about traveling by reading our World Travel category in our blog.

Ways to Stick with Your Diet Plan Even When Traveling

 

It is not easy maintaining your diet plan when you are traveling. You could end up eating more than what you should eat because of the tempting dishes around you. When you are overseas, it could even be more difficult. You might be offered dishes you are yet to try. You can’t say no to whatever you find on the table.

It does not mean though that you have to ruin your diet plan because you are enjoying the holidays. There are lots of fantastic ways to stay healthy even when you are on a trip.

Pack your snacks

Instead of buying snacks all the time, you can pack your healthy favorites. Besides, you might be unable to find them when you are traveling. It is better to bring the food you want, in case you have a hard time finding healthy dishes abroad. It is not only for weight loss purposes. It is also advisable for people who have food restrictions due to their health conditions.

Choose the right accommodation

You need to search for a place where you can cook so that if you can’t find a place where you can eat the food you want, you can quickly prepare your meals. Another option is to research restaurants that can offer the food you can eat. Book a hotel near the said restaurant so that you can quickly eat when you are there. It is also good to ask the hotel if they offer room service and if they offer meals that you can eat. Some hotels even have a low carb fast food restaurant nearby.

Avoid indulging

There is nothing wrong if you try new dishes. There are foods you might like that you are yet to try. Give them a bite or two, but don’t try to finish the entire thing. Worse, don’t buy more. You can share these dishes with your friends who are with you on the trip. The goal is for you to know how those foods taste, so indulging is not an option.

Stay hydrated

You need to drink lots of water when you are traveling. You might be walking or running to lots of places. You need to drink plenty of water. It also helps if you always drink water as it makes you feel less hungry.

Don’t stress out

Just try your best to stay healthy even when you are traveling. Eat the food you want but also stick to your plan. Don’t sweat if the food you want to eat is not available. Don’t feel too guilty if you feel like you ate more than you should. You are on a trip, so you can forgive yourself for indulging a bit. You can make it up later when you arrive home. You can return to your regular diet plan. The problem is when you allow your trip to prevent you from eating right.

Remember these tips each time you travel, so you don’t put on weight before you head back home.

How to Stay Healthy While Traveling: 9 Tips That Will Upgrade Your Adventures

Do you love to travel?

You’re not alone! Recent U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office reports have indicated that Americans are traveling more today than they have in years past. In 2016 alone, more than 80 million Americans took a trip with many of them traveling to places like Europe, South America, and Asia.

Traveling can obviously be a lot of fun. But do you know what’s not fun? Dealing with an illness when you’re a long way from home.

It’s why you should learn about how to stay healthy while traveling before you take your next trip. It could very well prevent you from feeling under the weather when you’re sightseeing in another country.

Here are 9 useful tips that will help you stay healthy while you travel.

1. See a Doctor Before You Begin Traveling

If you’re going to be traveling outside of the country or if you’re going to be traveling around for an extended period of time, you should schedule a doctor’s appointment first.

There are certain vaccinations that your doctor might recommend to you based on where you’re going to be traveling. Your doctor might also let you know about a health condition that you’ll want to keep a close eye on as you travel.

Getting access to medical care in other countries can be tricky in some instances. So it’s best to play it safe and go through a health evaluation before you set sail or take flight.

There are health insurance and Medigap plans that will cover the costs of seeing a doctor and help you get a clean bill of health prior to the start of your travel schedule.

2. Prepare Your Body For Traveling

Staying healthy while traveling starts long before you leave your house. In the days leading up to your next trip, you should take the time to prepare your body for your travels.

It’s not necessarily going to be easy to do it when you have a million and one things going on, but you should try to get plenty of sleep. You should also eat lots of healthy foods and, maybe most importantly, stay hydrated.

Additionally, you should try to keep your stress levels down. By doing all this, you’ll give your immune system a boost and prepare it for what’s to come.

3. Book Your Travel Plans Wisely

In an effort to save a few bucks, many people will book flights at odd hours of the day and agree to long layovers on their way to their final destination.

If you can avoid doing this, you should do it at all costs. It’ll throw your sleep schedule off and confuse your body. It’ll also get your trip off to a stressful start as you scramble around to catch flights while trying to stave off the boredom that often comes along with layovers.

You want to try to make your travels go as smoothly as possible. It’ll put you in a much better position when you finally arrive at your destination.

4. Take Your Time While Exploring the City You’re Visiting

There are many travelers who do a poor job when it comes to pacing themselves on trips. They try to pack as much as they possibly can into their schedules and attempt to see entire cities in a single day.

Slow down! While you want to make the most of every trip you take, you shouldn’t do it at the expense of your health. If you do too much at once, you’re going to run yourself ragged and make it impossible for your body to keep up.

5. Eat a Well-Balanced Diet Each and Every Day

No matter how disciplined you are about eating healthy at home, it’s easy to give in to temptation and eat like crap when you’re traveling. It’s so much easier to grab fast food and go than it is to sit down and eat a well-balanced meal, especially when you’re in a hurry to see the next sight.

Try not to fall into this dangerous pattern. You should do your best to eat healthily and to incorporate as many fruits and vegetables into your diet as you can.

You should also make sure you’re eating all three meals each and every day. If you start skipping meals, you’re going to rob your body of the nutrients it needs.

6. Pack Vitamins in Your Travel Bag

Are you concerned about not getting enough nutrients every day?

If so, slip vitamins into your travel bag and get into the habit of taking them throughout your trip. They’ll provide you with many of the essential vitamins and minerals.

7. Drink Water Early and Often Throughout Your Travels

Staying hydrated is, as we mentioned earlier, something you should do in the days leading up to a trip. But you shouldn’t stop drinking water as soon as you leave home!

You should bring a water bottle along with you as you travel and drink from it early and often. You can never drink too much water when you travel as traveling has a way of dehydrating your body if you let it.

8. Find Ways to Workout Whenever Possible

There’s a good chance that you’re going to be walking around a lot when you travel. That alone will provide your body with plenty of exercise.

But you should also take things to the next level and workout whenever you can find the time to do it. Exercise has been shown to fight off everything from the common cold to more serious illnesses.

Even something as simple as a 20-minute jog on the beach can work wonders for your physical and mental health while you travel.

9. Sleep as Much as You Can as You Travel

We get it. You don’t want to spend your whole vacation sleeping and miss out on all that a new city has to offer!

But if you don’t sleep enough while you travel, you’re going to pay the price for it eventually. A lack of sleep can zap you of the energy you’ll need to walk around, and it’ll also weaken your immune system and leave you open to illness.

Sleep, sleep, and then sleep some more so that your body is well rested throughout your trip.

You’ll Be Glad You Learned How to Stay Healthy While Traveling

There’s nothing worse than getting stuck in bed with an illness when you want to be out exploring a new city.

Learn how to stay healthy while traveling before you take your next trip and you can avoid getting sick. You can also steer clear of getting sick when you return from your trip, which is another problem that many people face.

Now that you know how to stay healthy as you travel, would you like to learn more about planning a great outdoor adventure? Read our blog to find some tips that will help you out.

Sin City Sights: The 10 Best Las Vegas Attractions and Activities

When it comes to vacation spots, Las Vegas remains high on everyone’s list.

This city is so filled with sights, sounds and uninhibited activity that people from all walks of life make the trip. If you are planning to have a Las Vegas vacation, you will need to know which Sin City sights to take in.

There are plenty of sights that you can check out, so take the time to figure out which will be best for you. Consider these tips to make sure that you’re getting the most out of your next trip.

Must-See Sin City Sights

When you want to travel the world, Vegas should be high on the list, due to the fact that it’s such a one-of-a-kind city. As such, there are several sights that you need to take in.

Consider these sights and make sure you cross a few of them off your list when you’re in Sin City:

1. The Bellagio Fountain

This is a site that costs you absolutely nothing but is a Las Vegas experience that you will definitely want to take in.

The hotel has a fountain that sprays water high into the sky, in various formations, set to music and various patterns. Bellagio’s fountain show takes place every half-hour or 15 minutes throughout the day and night.

It is the type of site that you’ll want to take in and enjoy, and perhaps get a few great photos and videos for the memories.

2. The Legendary Casinos

Of course, it is the casinos that pay the bills throughout Vegas.

Even if you aren’t much of a gambler, you owe it to yourself to buy a couple of chips and plunk some down on a wager. The hotels go all out to provide people with a world-class casino experience, and it’s something you’ll want to feel for yourself at least once.

As a bonus, people who are playing games at the casino get continuous free drinks as waitresses circulate.

3. Vegas Fight Night

Las Vegas also happens to be the fight capital of the world.

When there is a big boxing match or UFC card in town, you can expect to see plenty of celebrities in town. Highly anticipated bouts create a big fight buzz throughout the city all weekend that is absolutely infectious.

Since you’re on west coast time, you’ll be able to enjoy a nice dinner, catch a packed fight card and still have plenty of time to party the night away.

4. The Sight of Tupac’s Shooting

The announcement of Tupac Shakur’s death is one of those “where were you when you found out” moments that you only get a few of.

As such, people all over the world often make sure to visit the sight of his shooting when in Vegas, in order to pay their respects. On Sept. 7, 1996, Tupac was shot while parked at a light at the intersection of Koval and Flamingo.

Depending on when you go, you’ll likely see flowers or various murals.

5. Hit a Dispensary

In recent years, Nevada became the latest state to legalize recreational marijuana.

This means you can expect plenty of tourists to enjoy themselves and shop for what they can’t legally get in their home states. If you enjoy cannabis, take the time to hit a dispensary so that you can make a purchase of your own.

Make sure that you learn more about the marijuana laws before checking out a weed dispensary.

6. The Hoover Dam

When you’re in Las Vegas, you’re also a stone’s throw from the Hoover Dam, one of the most beautiful wonders you’ll take in.

You can purchase tours from the strip and plan out a trip with your group. Be sure to charge your phone and camera so that you get plenty of great footage.

7. Old Vegas

Yes, there is plenty to see in Las Vegas outside of the strip.

In fact, Old Las Vegas is where the action was prior to the strip being constructed. Old Vegas offers many of the same activities but provides a bit of a more laid-back vibe than you get on the strip.

Make sure to check out historic Fremont Street and a lot of the other sights and sounds that you won’t get among the hustle and bustle.

8. The Stratosphere

This is an attraction that you’ll see no matter where you are in Las Vegas because it’s hard to miss.

It’s a huge structure at the Stratosphere hotel that people bungee jump off of regularly. Seeing the Stratosphere itself is breathtaking, and actually taking the jump is a life-changing experience.

9. Catch a Show

Las Vegas is also home to some of the best shows you’ll catch anywhere. So many legends in all forms of the arts visit to perform or have residences throughout the years.

You can also catch plays, acrobatic shows, and magic acts.

10. Check Out a Vegas-Style Pool

Hanging out by the pool during the day is just as popular in Vegas as hitting the clubs at night. Many of these pools are top-optional and have DJ’s that keep the party going.

People order cabanas with bottle service, and women wear elaborate bikinis to turn heads. It has a little something for everyone and is definitely a must-visit attraction.

Plan Your Vegas Trip

When you’re planning out your trip, make sure that you know which Sin City sights suit you best. Start with these attractions as you look to book your Vegas trip.

To learn more about budget travel and how to plan your next great adventure, stay tuned to our site!

Beer Hunting in Belgium

Belgium is a country that tends to fly under the radar for most European visitors. Given its size, that is perhaps unsurprising – in terms of area, it is around the same size as the state of Maryland. But on the other hand, Belgium is famed for two things, its chocolate and its beer. Surely these factors should place the tiny European country on every epicurean traveler’s bucket list.

Plan ahead

Belgium might be small, but that doesn’t mean you can turn up and simply explore the whole country in a couple of days. So sort out your flights, get on to a company like Safetrip UHC to make sure your travel insurance is in place and decide on where to stay.

If you want to base yourself in Brussels, that’s fine, but in that case do it properly. Choose a downtown hotel and you can make full use of the excellent public transport system – there are trams that take you all across the city in a matter of minutes.

That’s perfect for exploring the scores of fantastic bars in and around the city. But if you want to take a look at some of Belgium’s famous breweries, you’ll need to venture out into the countryside.

Breweries of Belgium

There are no two ways about it, you’re going to need a car to get out and tour those breweries. That’s OK if you’ve got a designated driver – Belgium’s roads are easy to navigate and once you get to grips with the fact that the locals treat speed limits as a serving suggestion and nothing more, you will be fine.

But let’s be 100 percent clear on something here – Belgian beer and car keys really do not mix. If everyone wants to sample the fare, then the only real solution is to

hire a driver. That’s not as expensive a proposition as it sounds, but you’ll want to get it all set up well in advance.

Beer might not be as tied to its regions as wine, but you will definitely see some patterns start to emerge as you visit the different breweries. Payottenland, which is the area around Brussels, has a strong association with lambic style beers. This is where you will find brewers like De Cam and 3 Fonteinen.

Venture south into the French-speaking region of Wallonia towards the border with Luxembourg, and you will encounter the classic farmhouse-style ales from brewers like Dupont and Blaugies.

But it is West Flanders, around Bruges, Ostend and Ghent that you will find the classic strong, dark Trappist brews that really put Belgium on the map. One you really can’t miss is the Westvleteren brewery. Tucked away in the village of Vleteren, this brewery is the stuff of legends.

The beer is still brewed by the Trappist monks, and is only available to buy from the door of the monastery by prior arrangement. It is worth making the effort, however, and while every bottle bears the “not for resale” warning, you will find a handful of cafes close to the monastery that are permitted to sell it to discerning travelers.

How To Pack Your Wine Bottles While Traveling

Traveling with wine is just something that is going to happen if you are a wine lover. There is a good bit of good news on that end. Traveling with spirits above a certain percentage is not allowed but traveling with wine is. You have a good trip ahead of you.

No Carry On Board

Once upon a time, you were allowed to bring a couple bottles of wine with you on your carry-on baggage. Now, that is not the case. There is a clear limit to the weight and size of any drink you can bring with you for the carry-on luggage.

This is why you will do well to find good wine bags and stow them appropriately for the travel. You know that the most important part is to keep them from breaking and that is where the intelligence of travel with wine starts.

The whole issue of public safety is that you cannot travel with glass containers on board of a flight. When you think about it, this makes a lot of sense. Arrange to have your wine bottles transported in another way.

Pack it Well

You can travel with wine. As a matter of fact, you have the right to carry as much as the luggage limit. That means you have a weight limit. You know the deal, right? Pack wisely and use the clothing in your luggage to buffer the vibrations of flight and potential drop.

Do not use additional packing material unless you have to. Most of the time, your clothes and other items will suffice as a cushion for the wine bottles. You would be surprised at how many you can pack into a suitcase without it being noticed much by you or by others.

You Can Opt to Ship

Especially if you have a larger order of wine to transport, think about having it shipped privately. You will be saving yourself a great deal of trouble. There are a number of companies willing to help out and you would be surprised at the number of possibilities.

Sometimes it is better to opt not to take the bottles on the plane, even though it is in checked luggage. This is mostly the case if you have bigger loads to carry.

Proper Packing

Most important of all is to learn good tips on wine packing. You can do that with a little bit of study. You want to reduce shock and impact. That means using cushioning. Sometimes you can find great solutions if you look online for the right modes of preparation.

Think about getting a wine suitcase. It will make your travels with wine much easier in the long run.

Wine can be sensitive. You need to care for it. Traveling with it is a risk in some sense but, for the most part, you can rest assured it will make it to the destination safely. It is up to you to pack it right. Just invest in the right modes of transportation.

Chatting Favorite Travel Hacks with Mike (Michael) Asimos

Traveling is something just about everyone enjoys, but it’s not always that easy. Whether it be time, money or both, there are always a bunch of trips that are on the waiting list. Mike (formerly known as Michael) Asimos travels for work and pleasure often and recently shared some of his favorite travel hacks. He hopes that by sharing some of his secrets, people have one less excuse when it comes to not traveling as much as they would like.

Alright, first things first: are you a window or aisle seat person?

Well, I’ve been fortunate enough to travel a lot in my life, so I’ve certainly experienced both. I must say that as I get older, I seem to gravitate towards the aisle. It allows for easy access to the bathroom, and more opportunity to spread my legs out.

With that said, I do think early on I was more of a window guy. Whenever you are flying into a new city, nothing is more exciting then catching a glimpse of the city from the sky.

Favorite airline to travel, and why?

I seemed to always find good deals using Delta when I was younger, and that eventually led to getting points to use towards future trips. I can honestly say I’ve never personally had a bad experience with Delta. When there has been a delay, they are always very prompt and upfront with fliers, which I like.

Favorite hotel chain, and why?

When I find a good deal, or feel like treating myself a bit, to me, nothing beats a Hilton. I have always had great service there all around the world. If you do enough shopping and monitoring on sites, it really isn’t that costly either. However, for the more budget-friendly hotel chain, Holiday Inn is my go-to. They just seem a little cleaner and newer on average than their competitors.

What do you look for when booking hotels?

Real photos. I don’t want the photos that the company posts on the website, because guess what? All hotels look great when they have pictures professionally taken. I really love how reviewers have posted pictures to help other travelers find the truth.

What are some ways you can save money without sacrificing quality when traveling?

My favorite way to save money while traveling is to utilize local grocery stores. We are trained to think that travel = eating out for every meal. I usually eat out once a day, and then eat food from a local grocery store the rest of the day. You can still try unique things to that area too if you find a local establishment. That right there can save everyone $10 a day at least. Perhaps a lot more!

Where is your next travel destination?

I have a few small trips coming up that involve work in some way, but my next long trip I am planning for is Croatia in the spring. It is one of the most underrated travel destinations not only in Europe, but the world. I have been there once before, but I’m hoping to see a lot more thing time.

Any other final travel tips for readers?

Don’t be afraid of signing up for points and miles. If you have a favorite airline, start collecting. They come in handy and add up quicker than you think.

Where can readers connect with you?

I am most active on Facebook and Twitter, but I’ll plug my own website MichaelAsimos.com, as well. Anyone can feel free to send me any additional questions about travel via my social media channels.

You can also check out some more of my travel hacks, especially regarding my work in this recent interview, as well.