Beekman Beer Garden

Two Beekman Brothers - Traveling the World in Search of Great Beer

brothers

How to keep yourself occupied while traveling

Traveling presents the opportunity to visit other locales, take in the culture or just relax. From planning the trip to actually boarding the plane, train or bus (depending on how adventurous you are), travelers can engage with other worlds. However, the tedious part of travel is the here-to-there part that might take days and run through several time zones. Nevertheless, the best way to get through dull, uncomfortable travel, especially over very long distances, is to get the party started on the way.

Play mind games

Use this time to get to know one another by engaging in the types of games that elicit interesting answers and start conversations. Going on a picnic, 20 questions, and Begins with Ends with are all fun and cheap games that can be played in the car while on a road trip. If those types of conversation games are not interesting, the old favorite Truth or Dare is one of the best ways to occupy hours at a time.

Go online

Perusing the internet via tablets and cell phones is another way to consume a lot of time while journeying. FreeCell, Bejeweled, Mahjong and Sudoku have online communities where players try their hand against some of the best players. If feeling particularly lucky, travelers can up the stakes a notch and participate in any number of online casinos that offer sports betting. Online casinos allow players to place wagers on sports such as soccer, tennis, basketball, baseball and almost any other sport imaginable. Gambling sites, in addition to the numerous gaming sites, can help bored travelers eat up a lot of travel time.

Listen to a podcast

Talk radio can be traveler’s best friend on a long trip. NPR and other stations have a wide array of programming for listeners. In addition to regular news programming, Ask Me Another is a trivia podcast that focuses on cover songs. If not really into talk radio, Maximum Fun, Doug Loves the Movies, and American Life are all comical podcasts that can be enjoyed. If traveling alone in the car, listening to that audiobook your relative gave you can help pass time. Whether listening to a novel or catching up on current events, podcasts can distract travelers en route to any destination.

Take the time to smell the roses

If time permits, check out every oddball dive littered along that expansive highway. Not only is this proof to everyone in your social network that you are indeed the bravest, most adventurous soul on the planet, but it also presents you with the opportunity to visit the quirkiest tourist traps. Afterward, if traveling with companions, raise the stakes by having a wackiest souvenir competition, where those who win the pot are treated to a delight of their own choosing. Also, lovers traveling can stop and star gaze at night, and those with a passion for the stars can use the Star Chart app to discover what lies in the heavens above. Whether visiting a cacti museum in the middle of the Mojave Desert or taking in the roadside diner experience, while the trip takes a little longer, the experience is so much more enriching.

Get lost

No really; ignore that GPS and place that map in the glove compartment for a couple of hours. Getting lost makes the trip that much more exciting. Not only does detouring make for interesting sightseeing, but it also is the opportunity to get to know the ins and outs of locales, in addition to the fascinating stories you get to tell friends. Use that inner guide to get you to your destination safely, as you might find a trendy bed and breakfast to settle down in for the night, or better yet, a comfy restaurant that sells down-home food.

Document, document, document

The great part of traveling today is that technology allows travelers not only to take great pictures, but through the many social media sites, travelers can document every part of the trip for their friends. Take the time to create a real-time online album that lets friends and family know how the trip is coming along. Later on, use these pictures to create a hardcopy photo album.

Sometimes the journey to the destination is the best part of the trip. Coming or going can be the opportunity for travelers to see new sites along the way, learn new things about their companions, or be taken in by a new hobby. In this day and age, the journey can be as exciting as the trip itself. Just make sure you are comfortable while travelling, take time to check out your surroundings, and bring a device to play games on to keep yourself occupied during those slower times of travel. You’ll be happy you did!

The best places for a wild holiday in the UK

When people from around the world think of the United Kingdom, they often picture the good old town of London. It is fair after all, as most of us will refer to a country by their capital city, but we all know that a country is more than its most famous city. This is definitely the case for the UK, as there are so many more places you can go to have a great and exciting time.

Cardiff – Wales. Cardiff is considered to be the capital city of Wales, the part of the UK that is famous for its love of Rugby and its rainy weather, along with its high sheep count. The truth is that Wales is a beautiful part of the country, with rich and green valleys and many old castles to visit. There are also beaches, and even though they are not like the sunny Californian coastline, their tranquillity and beauty is still a sight to behold. The people in Wales are friendly and they love a good drink. If you love beer and rugby, Wales is the place for you. Friendly lads, ladies who know how to drink and love to drink, what’s not too like?

Peak District National Park. For a more mountainous experience, the peak district in central England fills a lot of good points. Peak District’s high point Kinder Scout reaches 2,088 feet (636 meters) above sea level, and the whole park is made of beautiful moorland plateaus and gritstone ridges. There are a lot of places for those who love trekking, but for those looking to have fun you will also find the loveliest countryside pubs. It is great to meet people after a long walk, and even perhaps meeting the lovely local ladies. On the worst case if you get really lonely you can always use the no.1 UK dating site Sex With No Strings, it’s pretty popular out there so you could just arrange some hook-up if that’s how you roll.

Brighton – Brighton is situated in the south of London, and is recognised by most as the gay capital of the UK. This coastal town has a great beach and a pier, but where it really stands out is its nightlife scene. The clubs and pubs, along with its eager-to-party population makes Brighton a place worth trying, if not just for the one night. It is difficult to spend a night in Brighton and not enjoy yourself, no matter what your sexual orientation is. Simply put: Brighton is a great time waiting to happen!

Devon and Cornwall. Located in the South West of England, Devon and Cornwall are simply some of the best parts of the UK for those who enjoy surf and having a good time. Lots of beaches and some good waves, but also towns like Plymouth in Devon or Newquay in Cornwall can offer a great night out. Newquay especially has a reputation of being a good party town favoured by Stag dues and Hen nights, and truth be told you probably won’t need to use a dating site or a hook-up app to meet some friendly ladies. But simply reducing Cornwall and Devon to drinking and surfing wouldn’t do them justice, as the countryside simply looks stunning and offers many coastal walks, especially when the weather is good.

So there you go, we made a little list based on not only the beauty of certain places, but mostly on how much fun you are likely to have. All those places make for a balanced choice, so that nature lovers and thrill seekers alike may find what they are looking for. We hope it helps you to think a bit outside the box, for every country is much more than its capital city.

Bar point of sale software makes running a bar fun

For those who love going to bars, all the fun and entertainment that goes on around the bar helps to reduce their stress level. For a bar owner, it is a business and any distractions from the day to day activities could mean huge losses. The idea is to track all inventory and ensure as little waste as possible. Making use of a bar POS software is a great way to remain on top of what is happening in your business.

How is Bar POS useful?

Unlike in the past when ordering and processing bar items would take forever, it is now possible to do this in the shortest possible time using bar POS software. This software is usually part of a system that may include monitors like order and touch screen monitors, a unit for processing credit cards and central processing unit. This has meant that all other functions of a business that used to be controlled from different places can now be controlled from a point.

Does it really work well?

Given that staff in a bar will work without direct control from the boss, there are bound to be some wastage and excesses if adequate measures are not taken. Traditionally, it is hard to guarantee drink inventory especially for wine and spirit because of the free pouring. But with the use of an efficient bar point of sale software, even the last drop of liquor can be accounted for. Wireless devices can be mounted on bottles that send signals to the central unit each time a drink is poured.

Does it keeps a track of inventory?

Apart from helping to control employee excesses, this software can be used to track any profit or loss. It becomes easy to get inventory and correct any mistakes where necessary. A bartender will be happy for this software on a very busy day. There will be no need to mentally track every order as the system does that for you. With all the functions it has to carry out, it is important that the bar point of sale software system should be of the best quality. Before investing in any such software, know what you want and ensure that the product you get is able to live up to expectation.

POS systems can be very expensive and some come with hidden charges. When investing in such a system, be sure of what comes with the whole package. There may warranties and interesting options like the possibility of having a loyalty card. Irrespective of the system chosen, it is always better for the bar owner to be able to choose their own credit card processor.

Remember to consider adding some of the best beers around the world to your bar tap. This will make your bar suitable for all of those people- including yourself- who love to visit bars, and it will keep them coming back knowing their favourite beer is at your location.  If you also love to play games at casino while relishing your beer, so there could not be anything better than playing games for casino bonus for uk players. Here, you can play online casino games, without making any kind of deposit of your money. SO, log on now at casinonodeposituk.co.uk which offers various online casino games that you can play and enjoy while relishing beer!

The Best Irish Pubs in New York City

There’s nothing more satisfying than the taste of a cold pint of stout and a warm, welcoming atmosphere after a day of sightseeing. In New York City, there are thousands of bars where you can trade your hard earned money for a well-earned glass of beer.

The Irish pub is a staple in any major city. For some travelers, it is a tradition to seek out an Irish pub in each city they visit to enjoy a cold brew before venturing to other attractions. If you find yourself thirsty in the Big Apple, here are some of the best Irish pubs where you can whet your whistle.

The Beekman Pub

If you’re going to the Brooklyn Bridge, be sure to venture down Beekman Street where you’ll find numerous Irish-style establishments, including the aptly named Beekman Pub. There you will find traditional pub fare, ice cold Guinness, and a wide selection of whiskey and specialty drinks.

If you need to warm up after walking the city streets, be sure to try the Nutty Beakman, a specialty coffee with Jameson whiskey and whipped cream. Enjoy the ornate wooden decor and television screens showing the latest sporting events while you mingle with fellow tourists and locals.

The Landmark Tavern

The Landmark Tavern is, as you would expect by the name, a New York City landmark. Established in 1868, The Landmark Tavern was originally a speakeasy and lounge for hardened dockyard workers. It has since evolved into a reputable establishment, but maintains its classic decor with elements crafted from rich mahogany.

The Landmark Tavern has both Smithwick’s and Guinness on tap and is known for its amazing gastropub style cuisine. Extend your weekend by stopping by on a Monday night to enjoy live music and dancing.

The Dead Rabbit

No list of New York City bars would be complete without mention of the Dead Rabbit. The Dead Rabbit is a fusion of traditional Irish fun with a modern flair. Offering Irish pub staples like lamb stew, as well as over 180 bottles of Irish whiskey, the Dead Rabbit is the owner of the largest whiskey collection in the USA.

The Dead Rabbit also claims to serve the best pint of Guinness in New York City. While we can’t confirm the validity of this claim, we can recommend that you visit the various pubs on this list and test it out yourself.

Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar

Paddy Reilly’s is an Irish pub with music from numerous areas and eras. With hip-hop, bluegrass, top 40 hits, and even the occasional Irish jog, Paddy Reilly’s is known city-wide for its lively atmosphere. While Paddy Reilly’s used to pride itself in being one of the few Guinness only bars in New York City, they’ve since expanded their offering to meet the changing market demand.

If your goal is to experience the classic Irish pub setting without missing out on the club-esque nightlife situation, Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar is the place for you. Conveniently located in Midtown East in Manhattan, you can easily get there any time of day or night.

Getting There

No matter where you turn in New York City, there is bound to be a bar within walking distance. While you should make the most of the city that never sleeps by expanding your horizons and trying one of the many craft beer establishments, an Irish pub can feel like home.

Don’t worry about driving back to your hotel at the end of the night. All of these locations are easily accessible by subway or cab. While it is important to plan ahead so that you feel comfortable while travelling or visiting NYC there are various transportation options to ensure you make it home. You can even create your own version of a New York City pub crawl if you want to plan ahead. Sign-up for Top View NYC tours to hop on and off at will, so you can see top New York City sights while drinking the best New York City stout, a plan that anyone can drink to.

6 Groundbreaking Knee Pain Treatments for Long-Term Healing and Pain Relief

Osteoarthritis is the leading form of knee pain where the cartilage in the joint starts to wear off because of age or an old injury. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the US, between the years 2013 to 2015, close to 54.4 million or 22.7% adults were diagnosed with arthritis. The organization predicts that by the year 2040, 78 million or 26% of the adults are likely to have the condition. For this reason, researchers are coming up with new knee pain treatments to help the affected.

If you have the disease, you’re probably noticing the lost work days and other downsides that result from difficulty in movement. Osteoarthritis can make things extremely difficult and unpleasant, especially if you are constantly on the go or wanting to feel comfortable while travelling. To date, Doctors admit they have no cure for the knee pain and the solutions they offer are merely intended to lower the discomfort and provide some amount of normalcy in their patients’ lives.

However, using too many pain medications may not only result in long-term side effects, but you might end up causing further damage to the affected joint in the absence of pain. Aside from pain medicines, your doctors may have recommended physical therapy, exercise, and other natural remedies. As a last resort, they may have suggested knee replacement surgery.

But, before you take that major decision, take a look at the newest therapies available today. One of these knee pain treatments could be effective in helping you avoid surgery for now.

1. Hyaluronic Acid Injections

Hyaluronic acid or Hyaluronate acid as it is also called is a substance that your body produces naturally. As the Mayo Clinic reports, you can opt for these injections in the knee joints to ease movement and lower the pain. That’s because Hyaluronic acid works to replace the eroded synovial fluids that provide lubrication to the joints and prevent the ends of the bones from rubbing against each other. Although this knee pain treatment is absolutely safe to use, your doctor might run some tests on you to ensure that you’re not likely to have any allergic reactions and are a good candidate for the procedure.

2. Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate

Your bone marrow creates mesenchymal stem cells that promote the growth of cartilage and other healing elements in the body. These cells are also effective in lowering inflammation levels. To help you with knee pain, doctors harvest marrow from your bones and isolate the mesenchymal stem cells for reinjection inside the knee. In this way, they hope to restore the cartilage and help in pain relief. Although the procedure has received approval by the FDA, the National Center for Biotechnical Information suggests that further research is needed before this knee pain treatment can be used more extensively.

3. Maci or Autologous Cultured Chondrocytes

Chondrocytes are another form of cells that your body produces naturally. These cells form the building blocks of which cartilage is created. Doctors have been experimenting with a treatment course that involves harvesting some of the cartilage cells from the patient’s knee and then culturing them in the lab to grow more cells. Later, they place these cells onto the framework that is inserted into the knee joint to assist in the regeneration of cartilage. Over time, the frame is absorbed into the body. The FDA has approved the protocol under the name, Maci.

4. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Knee Injections

While all three of the foregoing knee pain treatments use natural compounds to help you with the pain and inflammation, you might want to consider PRP therapy instead. That’s because, the PRP serum, processed from your blood contains both mesenchymal stem cells and chondrocytes that can effectively assist in the healing process and reduce inflammation. The serum also contains other growth factors that can replace the worn lubricating agents in the knee joint. In recent times, doctors have also been experimenting with a combination of PRP and Hyaluronic acid injections for a dual-effect treatment protocol that works with better results.

Aside from these four options that use natural products and autologous elements to heal the causes of osteoarthritis, specialists in knee pain may suggest injections that work to numb the nerves that cause you pain. Depending on the severity of your arthritis, your doctor may recommend these knee pain treatments.

5. Water-Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation

The Radiofrequency ablation is a procedure where the technician uses a heated needle to burn the nerves that cause pain. The heat in the needles is produced by a high frequency electrical current. The Water-Cooled Radiofrequency ablation takes it a step further by passing water through the tip of the needle so that its temperature is lowered and doctors can burn a larger area. This knee pain solution is still in the experimental stages and clinical trials are in progress to study the efficacy further. In coming times, the procedure could become more readily available.

6. Botox Injections

Botox injections have been used by medical practitioners for a while now to help patients with various medical and cosmetic problems. The basic principle behind Botox is that it numbs nerve signals from reaching the muscles and causing spasms and pain. For this reason, doctors are now using the injections as a knee pain treatment to ease the discomfort and mobility. Again, this option is in the experimental stages and it may be a while before it is offered to patients.

In the coming years, researchers may develop various treatments to help you with knee pain that actually work to heal and reverse the causes in place of simply masking the pain and lowering inflammation. Before opting for knee replacement surgery, you may want to explore the other available solutions as well.

Feeling comfortable while travelling

Staying comfortable while traveling takes some preparation, but it is worth it. Instead of paying first-class rates for a little luxury, you can create your own comfort. Check out the following tips on how you can create a more comfortable and luxurious experience on an economy budget.

Plan ahead

Book your flight or embark on a road trip after the morning rush. You will want to avoid early morning flights, since this is when the airport is packed with business travelers. Be sure to check traffic apps to see when the roads are less packed with commuters. Booking ahead can also help you save money if you are looking to travel on a budget. Choose a seat on your flight that is on the aisle if you will get up often. When traveling with children, book early enough to sit together and keep them entertained.

Comfortable clothing

One of the best ways to feel relaxed while traveling is to wear comfortable clothes that are not too bulky or too thin. Since you might alternate between cool and warm due to body heat in an enclosed space, warming sunlight, and heating or air conditioning, wearing layers allows you to adjust your temperature throughout the trip.Cramped conditions like economy airline seats can be incredibly uncomfortable even in a short time. Give your body the support it needs by improving back and shoulder posture with a women’s posture shirt. This is sure to keep you comfortable for the duration.

Keep warm

Snuggle up with a comfortable blanket to stay warm when you feel chilly or need to nap. Opt for a travel blanket that comes with a bag or holder to carry it in. If you kick off your shoes as soon as your flight takes off, pack a pair of slipper socks to wear during the flight so you don’t have to force your shoes back on to walk around or go to the bathroom. Make sure that you bring a travel jacket with a hood. This can help your neck and ears stay toasty without having to bring a separate scarf. Putting your hood on can also help you block out noisy or annoying neighbors.

Sleep gear

Block out the light with a plush, high-end, contoured sleep mask that won’t rub on your eyes or make you sweat.Create silence with noise-canceling earbuds, which are as effective as headphones but more compact for traveling. On a road trip, this allows the driver to crank whatever music they want to help them stay alert while you snooze in the passenger seat. Scope out a twisty neck pillow or another modern take on the travel neck pillow. There are cushions that allow you to lean forward, back, or to the side, depending on your travel sleep style.

Tech items

A portable charger should be at the top of your list to bring, since they are compact and can often charge multiple devices at once. You are missing out until you travel with a tablet stand, especially if you are traveling with kids. There are tablet holders that fit onto the back of your airplane tray and others for the back of a car seat headrest.

Stay healthy

Toss a few vitamin C packets or a travel pack of multi-vitamins in your purse, pocket or overnight bag to boost your immune system, because exposure to germs is bound to happen while traveling. Bring wholesome granola bars or individual fruit snacks for healthy energy to sustain you when you get hungry, but avoid nuts that are sometimes restricted on flights due to airborne food allergies of others. Watch out for deep vein thrombosis, which is a greater risk on longer flights. Make sure you walk around frequently to keep your blood circulating.

Refresh yourself

An excellent use for a washrag is to wipe your face to freshen up at the end of a long journey. There’s nothing better during travel than wiping down your face and neck with soothing warm water. Carry a small packet of mini toothbrushes or peppermints to refresh your breath. These awaken your mouth, keep plaque away and typically don’t require water.

Moisturize

It seems that traveling always strips the moisture from our bodies, but it you stay ahead of dryness then your body and skin will look amazing. Remember that the first step to staying hydrated is drinking enough water before, during and after your trip. Bring a reusable mini water bottle to refill every day for affordable water on the go. Pack lip balm and aloe gel as an all-purpose moisturizer for almost any rehydrating purpose.

Hopefully, when you travel, you are able to treat yourself to little luxuries that keep you comfortable. From comfortable clothes to hydration, the little things add up to make you feel more refreshed on your journey.

Cheltenham Festival Well Worth the Entrance Fee

Source: sihaywardphoto via Twitter

Cheltenham Festival offers great entertainment throughout the week on the racecourse, making it a must-visit destination for even casual fans of horse racing. Thousands of people converge on the Cotswolds for the event in the second week of March. Although temperatures are not alluring at the time of year, the stands at the stadium are always full of revellers.

The event has become a permanent fixture in the British sporting calendar. Almost every media outlet has specialist coverage of the week, which features some of the finest horses, jockeys and trainers from around the world. The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the primary race of the week, although each meet provides just as much entertainment.

Irish horse Altior has won 11 races on the bounce, including his victory at Cheltenham Festival last season in the Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase by a comfortable margin. Nicky Henderson’s charge could be lining up another triumph at the event for the current campaign, being considered the leading contenders amongst the Oddchecker list of bookies for the Queen Mother Champion Chase in a competitive field, which should provide plenty of drama.

Source: CrystalCupRaces via Twitter

Altior will take to the track on March 14, which happens to be Ladies’ Day at Cheltenham. Therefore it’s a perfect getaway for a couples holiday, spending a day at the races and the surrounding areas – whether it’s for just one day or even the entire week. Tickets can be purchased for a low as £30, although to see the Festival in style it can be as expensive as £770 to use the restaurant facilities within the exclusive areas of the concourse.

That’s a lot of money, especially when there are a number of concession stands in the stadium featuring a variety of food and drink options. In 2015, over 120,000 bottles of wine and 265,000 pints of Guinness were drunk at the event, highlighting why so many people can kick back and enjoy the festivities, which can be enhanced if you have punting success. So, if you like partying awhy not attend  the Cheltenham Festival? You can even experience the best beers  U.K. and

Even if you’re not the biggest racing enthusiast or tee-total, the atmosphere of the stadium is still an enticing experience, to say the least. There are not many sporting events that allow you to be suited and booted or for the ladies selecting the most extravagant of dress and headwear. On average, 62,000 people attend each day of the Festival, which would guarantee to offer some weird and wonderful attire from spectators.

How to cope with the death of a loved one when you are overseas

The death of someone you love is a shocking and terrible experience, but being informed of the death of a loved one when you are miles away from home significantly compounds and complicates your grief.

Thinking practically in times of grief

Traveling overseas can be an exhilarating experience, but it’s natural for many long-term travelers to have feelings of guilt over missing things that are going on back home. Births, weddings, graduations and other celebrations can be shared from afar through phone calls, video chats, pictures and social media, but the death of a loved one presents unique challenges for overseas travelers.

You may experience a profound sense of guilt that can make the decision of whether or not to return home for a loved one’s funeral or cremation services particularly tricky. You must consider the cost, distance and time involved in making a sudden change to your travel plans.

While some airlines still offer emergency bereavement fares at a discount, the process of qualifying for one of these tickets can be lengthy, requiring certain proof and documents to which you may not have access.

If you need an emergency flight home, your best bet is to contact the airline by phone. Not only can you access unpublished and last-minute fares, but speaking with an informed individual and having the chance to explain your situation can be extremely helpful.

Be open to options you may not have considered, such as flight plus rental car packages, alternate airports and red-eye or connecting flights to get you home as quickly as possible.

Make sure you have your passport, visas and any other identifying documentation up-to-date and readily available, especially if you’ll need to pass through multiple countries on your way back to the United States.

Grieving from afar

If you can’t get home, there are ways you can grieve from a distance. Besides, many people use travelling, as a form of treatment when feeling sadness in their lives.

It is one of the most difficult things to do as an overseas traveler; having to acknowledge the loss of a person you haven’t seen in quite some time. The ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ reality may be particularly hard to process, because you may be alone in your grief.

To help combat this feeling of isolation and loneliness, contact your family, close friends and anyone who will understand the pain of your loss. Sharing memories and sympathies with others who are grieving can be very cathartic.

Share your feelings with your traveling companions or friends. Even if they didn’t know your loved one, they will offer gestures of compassion and sympathy that can help ease your pain and make you feel less alone.

Using travel to cope

In some cases, returning to travel can help heal your soul after the death of a loved one.

Getting out of your routine, filling your life with beautiful experiences, maintaining an outward focus on the practical matters of traveling and setting yourself on a new path following a loss can help you work through your grief.

4 Unique Travel Destinations for the Adventurer

Air travel is, of course, the standard way of reaching some of the most exciting places on Earth. It’s also my preferred mode of transportation that gave me with unique experiences I wouldn’t trade for anything. I spent the last half-decade hopping about various locations. Here, I’ll detail a handful of the most memorable ones.

If there’s one thing that’s difficult to look forward to while flying anywhere, is the long airport lines, especially around summer holidays. Once you’ve flown with one commercial flight line, you’ve flown with them all – and the experience doesn’t get better with age. Perhaps surprisingly, this is one of the reasons why renting private jets is becoming a thing as the prices dropped considerably from the days when only CEOs could afford them. They can take you almost anywhere in the world, and give you a lot of options for large groups, family travel and even individual charter flights.

1. The Wonders of Aspen Colorado

The minute we landed in Maroon Bells between the Elk Mountains of Pitkin and the Gunnison county, I understood why Colorado is one of the most popular ski resorts in the nation – maybe the world. The natural beauty is almost overwhelming, as icy blue skies merge into white mountain-tops and verdant green pine before the clear lakes. There’s a touch of golden aspen scattered all about the countryside; which beckons to hikers like a long lost lover. The trail is easy, runs for about a mile, and the payoff is the splendor of Maroon Lake. I cannot wait to go back!

2. Safari In Cape Town

No one could ever again doubt your claim as an adventurer if you go on safari. There’s simply nothing like the Kruger National Park experience, where the most sublime denizens of Nature are but a stone’s throw away from you in all their uninhibited glory.

You’ve never truly seen a pride of lions until you’ve seen them roaming the amber grasslands and woodland bush plains of the African continent. I found it breathtaking, in its own special way, as Aspen, Colorado – despite the 180 degree difference in environment.

While you’re there, take a break from the adrenaline-pumping visits by caravan to the Reserve, and take a hiking or biking tour on the Cape Peninsula, overlooking the bluest part of the Atlantic you’ll ever see. The tours are always available, and they include scenic picnics and even a cruise ride around Duiker Island. With such amazing experiences such as these, why wouldn’t you choose adventure travels? 

3. Machu Picchu – The Lost City of the Incas

This lovely vacation spot sits in the Andes Mountains in the South American country of Peru. The ruins of the long-dead Incan civilization are preserved for posterity and you get a bird’s eye view of the spectacular scenery that has drawn tourists since the early 1900s, when it was rediscovered and opened to the world. This recent discovery is great for tourists, as this 600 hundred year old place is included on their lists of must-see destinations.

As for the glorious ruins, you will understand why they’re so exquisite when you read about the history of the place: Machu Picchu was reserved for Incan royalty – particularly, kings and chiefs. It was a like a resort in its time, with hundreds of symmetrical structures displaying the architectural abilities of the artisans of that time. There are multiple hiking trails available on the tours, and various temples to visit. Don’t miss a chance to ride the luxury train that gives a splendid view of the Andes during your trip to the ruins.

4. The West Indies – Nevis and Saint Kitts

Dormant volcanoes and beautiful beaches all around awaited us as we jetted into Nevis and Saint Kitts. I’d never seen golden, black and pure white sands – such an amazing variety on Pinney’s Beach and near Nevis Peak volcano, where we went hiking. The extremely well-maintained Nevis Botanical Gardens was worth every minute we spent there, and the Thai food at the Oasis (Gardens Restaurant) was a welcome difference from some of the overly-processed Thai I’ve eaten in the States.

You wouldn’t regret a visit here on vacation – especially with a significant other, where the romantic vibes are very strong amid the bonfires, karaoke and dancing on frigate Beach.

I’ve enjoyed these travels as much as any others, even more so with the splendor that private jets offer and without all that airport scramble. I look forward to finding more unique adventure spots. Don’t worry, I’ll share them all with you!

Traveling, a treatment for depression

Depression is a debilitating mental illness that is surprisingly common these days, and it can really affect anybody at any time. Mental health problems do not discriminate, and you don’t have to be ‘sad’ to suffer from them. Hundreds of thousands of perfectly happy, stable people with careers, families and a high quality of life suffer from depression, and it can often feel like an illness that is simply impossible to fight. Fighting against depression requires a lot of force, self-esteem and support from others, but self-esteem is precisely the thing that it often totally destroys.


Though support from others is essential, overcoming depression is really a battle that one must fight, gradually building up self-esteem, practicing self-love and carrying out activities that help with treatment and to tranquilize the mind. When suffering from depression, even the simplest things can seem impossible. Just getting out of bed and washing can feel like an impossible chore for many, and getting out of that mindset is very difficult and requires patience.

One of the best ways to treat depression and work towards a healthier mind and happier you is to get out and travel. You can travel alone, or with friends, or you could even try travelling with your brother. Having support from family and friends is always helpful. Sometimes, when just getting out of bed feels like a chore, the idea of traveling and getting outside your comfort zone can be a scary thought, but it is precisely this that will help condition your mind and give you purpose, a distraction from the everyday routine, and plenty of things to be excited about and look forward to. Getting out of the same routine and trying new things may seem exhausting, but really it is incredibly refreshing, and for many suffering with depression, it is just what they need.

Accepting the challenges that come with traveling and letting yourself go in this sense are great ways of practicing self-love and help with self-belief. Getting out there to travel will make you feel strong and help you grow as a human being, and even meet new people. You may even meet others suffering from depression, and sharing your stories could be incredibly healing for both parties.

Before heading out, you should make sure that you are insured and that you will not run into any problems should you need access to medication or medical help whilst you are away from home. When suffering from depression, one of the most important things is to feel secure and to not have to worry about anything. Travel insurance for depression can be difficult to find, since it is not a physical illness, but you can find special insurance companies that understand your needs and that cover psychological conditions, understanding that they are equally important.

There are tons of stories out there about people who have helped treat their depression through traveling. Certainly, traveling is no miracle cure, and mental health does not just go away like that. It is a constant battle, an ongoing process and something that gradually gets better. But for many, traveling could be just the thing needed to help and to make themselves feel much better. Its benefits are plentiful, and its psychological and physiological benefits are undeniable.

The U.S. Travel Assocation carried out a poll thats results found that travel also prevents dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and that it helps people to live longer. Why? Because they are happier, more satisfied with life and have better moods than those who do not travel. Travel reduces stress, it provides an essential break from the often-exhausting routine. Just knowing that you have a trip planned can improve an individual’s sense of well-being, according to this study carried out by The University of Surrey. The study states that traveling impacts the individual’s overall well-being, stating that “it appears that those who are waiting to go on a holiday are much happier with their life as a whole, experience less negative or unpleasantfeelings and thus enjoy an overall net positive effect or pleasantfeelings.” (Gilbert, 2002).