Adventure and Sports

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.

Have a passion for scuba diving? You’ve only scratched the surface. Don’t miss these amazing underwater adventures for fearless travelers like yourself.

 

You know who’s got things all figured out?

Sebastian. Yes, that awesome crab from The Little Mermaid.

He knew that under the sea is better, unlike up on the shore where people work all day and slave away in the sun. If only Ariel listened to him, she wouldn’t have gotten into all that trouble. But that’s another story for another time.

The main point here is: under the sea is good. And underwater adventures, well, they’re even better. Here, we’ll do Sebastian proud by naming some of the best underwater destinations for adventure seekers like yourself.

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, the Maldives

If you’re looking for cool things to do underwater that don’t involve getting your feet wet, Ithaa’s the place for you. The world’s first undersea restaurant, Ithaa seats 14 people, who get to see countless colorful fish and sometimes sharks, turtles, and stingrays.

But that’s not all. If you’re a foodie, you’ll love Ithaa’s fusion Maldivian cuisine with dishes like charcoaled reef lobster and coconut crusted légine.

And of course, when you’ve had your once in a lifetime Ithaa culinary experience, you can take advantage of Maldives’ wide-ranging facilities which offer everything from windsurfing to snorkeling to scuba diving and fishing.

The Great Blue Hole, Belize

One of the best places to go scuba diving, Belize’s Great Blue Hole is the largest sinkhole in the world. It’s also one of the most intriguing mysteries of the ocean. Despite its discovery in 1971, no one has mapped out its exact features.

This should tell you that the Great Blue Hole is for expert divers only.

But if you’re not one, it’s okay. You can see it from above – there are local companies who offer plane tours. Or you can book a boat tour and do some snorkeling instead.

The Azores, Portugal

Unlike the Cayman Islands and other scuba hotspots with dive shops aplenty, the Azores doesn’t allow for year-round diving. Its geography and latitude are better suited for other activities, such as watching and swimming with whales and dolphins.

If that’s right up your alley, you’ll be amazed to know that you could encounter up to five dolphin species in the Azores. These include striped dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, and Atlantic spotted dolphins.

Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, California, USA

What’s an underwater travel itinerary without a visit to an aquarium? If you’re bringing your kids with you, the Monterey Bay Aquarium offers something for the whole family.

There’s the Kelp Forest, one of the tallest aquarium exhibits in the world. And of course, the lovely Open Sea, where you get to see almost all types of marine creatures including stingrays, turtles, sunfish, jellyfish, and more.

Looking for More Underwater Adventures?

If you’re set on having more underwater adventures before the year ends, don’t forget to check out our travel posts. We’ve featured beach destinations as well as must-see underwater vacations.

Keep checking back for more travel-related articles, life tips, and more. Or contact us if you want to connect with our team about business or travel.

 

 

 

Are you ready to experience the trip of a lifetime? Here’s how to plan the ultimate bucket list adventure that includes viewing the 7 New Wonders of the World

The seven wonders of the world have gone down in history as the ultimate bucket list items for travelers around the globe. It’s claimed that the Great Pyramid of Giza, Petra, the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, The Great Wall of China, Chichen Itza and the Colosseum were actually chosen by Greek writer Antipater of Sidon to represent the seven most remarkable sites in the world.

The good news is, if you’re looking to check this achievement off of your bucket list it may not be as difficult as you may think. A number of tours have come up with the aim to knock out all seven locations in the time period of a month. Seeing the

Seven Wonders of the World on a Budget

First, if you don’t plan on hitting the seven wonders through a tour dedicated to the task, that doesn’t mean you can’t do it yourself. Since the seven wonders are spread out around the globe, no matter where you are located things is bound to get a little pricey.

Try the following travel tips to save some money on the adventure:

• Use affordable flight search engines like Skyscanner, momondo, or kiwi to find cheap flights
• Find connecting flights for yourself instead of leaving
• Buy flights in bulk for cheaper prices, the more you buy at the same time the better the rates.

The Great Pyramid of Giza

The Pyramids of Giza are often the first image that comes to mind when thinking of the seven wonders of the world. That because this location is so iconic that it’s often the first stop for many travelers.

Not only is the pyramid of Giza massive, but the construction of it still leaves many historians scratching their head. For this check mark, you’ll need to make a trip to Egypt. If you’re looking for a great tour to go on while you’re there, check out the King Tutankhamun tour for the full story.

Petra

Petra has been referred to by many as the lost city, thanks to it’s disappearing civilization in Jordan’s Rose City. For many travelers, however, it’s the cities intricate architecture and rock cut outs that lands Petra a coveted spot on the list of Seven Wonders.

Many have been unable to explain what happened to the great civilization that once dwelled here, or even how their remarkable buildings of clay and stone came to be. You can choose to explore the lost city on your own or take a more historical approach by doing the Totally Jordan tour.

The Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is by far the most iconic landmark in India, and even in the world. Built as a gift for a kings wife the towering palace stands as a symbol of love with a stunning architectural shape and site.

In fact, the full construction of the Taj Majal in Agra took over 20 years from start to finish. Its luxurious details found at every corner is what makes this spot such a bucket list item. If you choose to take a tour to the Taj Mahal we suggest signing up with the Taj Express as a tour option.

Machu Picchu

Llamas, trains, and some of the most stunning indigenous architecture in the world. There really are a number of things to love about Machu Picchu. The Inca trail to Machu Pichu can offer rich historic value and lush green scenery that can rarely beat by anywhere else in the world.

While it is entirely possible to arrange to explore Machu Picchu on your own, the best way to fully embrace the experience is by experiencing the Inca trail to Machu Picchu by train.

The Great Wall

The Great Wall of China is arguably one of the greatest architectural achievements by mankind. While it may not be true that you can see the Great Wall from space, that doesn’t mean it’s vast span isn’t incredibly impressive. Which explains why travelers from all over the world come here just to walk a small portion of it.

If you are looking for more than just a good photo opts and are hoping to take in some history of the wall during your visit, we recommend signing up for the Great Wall and Warrior tour.

Chichen Itza

Quite like the Great Pyramid of Giza, there are some major mysteries surrounding Chichen Itza, one of the greatest remains of Mayan Civilisation. Just visiting this magical location in Mexico gives us a glimpse at what vast knowledge the Mayan’s had and how technologically advanced they were in all areas of their life.

One of the most famous sits in Chichen Itza is the famous El Castillo period, known for its perfect construction and detail. It’s said that the pyramids stand at an exact degree to the center of the earth. To really grasp the greatness of this iconic spot, we suggest the Best of Yucatan tour.

The Colosseum

Just one visit to the vast Roman-era stadium is enough to make anyone feel like a gladiator. This impressive piece of historic architecture dates all the way back to AD 72 and still holds the record as the largest amphitheater in the world.

While you’ll find a number of tour guides willing to offer your services when you arrive at the Colosseum, it’s best to book your tour in advance to avoid being taken advantage of. We suggest booking the Renaissance & Riviera tour before your trip to ensure a memorable experience.

Squeezing the Best Out of Life

When it comes to major bucket list items like visiting the seven wonders of the world or even road tripping across the country, all that’s really needed is some forward planning and knowing the right tricks.

Remember, even a budget traveler can be a world traveler with the right tips and a little guidance. Be willing to do your homework ahead of time to ensure an unforgettable getaway.

 

If you’re on vacation in a tropical location with one of the new water resistant phones, take advantage of it! Your Instagram feed will love underwater pictures

Underwater adventures in photography really took off when the original GoPro camera launched in 2002. Their cameras are built to withstand depths of at least 131 feet. The average underwater photographer may not ever travel that deep, but it’s cool knowing the possibilities.

Taking underwater pictures is a whole new world. A lot of photography skills don’t translate the same when surrounded by water. Light plays differently, your foundation is replaced with floating, and focus is shifting.

To help you get your feet wet, we’ve put together this short guide. It will help you prepare, refine, and perfect your underwater skills. Let’s jump in!

Underwater Equipment

Shooting underwater on a budget is difficult. This is especially true if you’re traveling on a budget. You have to have either a GoPro or proper underwater housing for your camera. Housing is going to depend on your model camera, but they can rival the price of the camera itself.

Housing will require a lens port, which will come in a bunch of sizes and either flat or domed. Flat is for macro shots, while dome is for wide angle. Water alone will decrease your angle by a quarter of a lens’ capability. There’s a lot more more about flat and curved lenses to learn, which we recommend reading later.

Preparing for the Elements

Jumping in a body of water with a camera is not for the faint of heart. You will be tested physically and mentally by the elements. Even a clear day, you will need to make adjustments on the fly. Here are just a few examples.

Focusing Underwater

For those that spend very little time in the water, the clearest water is found in calm bodies of salt water. Freshwater needs to be running to get the best clarity, which introduces other problems, of course. Swimming pools also rank below calm salt water.

It can be really difficult to focus underwater when you have free-floating particles. Unfortunately, you can’t really discern the water quality until you start taking pictures.

Rocky Beds, Sandy Floors

One of the most important keys to getting consistent results underwater is a steady anchor point. If you can’t stand still to take photos or avoid kicking up dirt/sand, you’re going to have a lonnnng day. Sandy sea floors are ideal because 1) they’re easier to walk on and 2) they reflect more light than other surfaces.

Safety and Security

If you’re planning on venturing out into the ocean with your camera, be aware of potential dangers. From the excruciating pain of a jellyfish or stingray to the annoying sea urchins and aggressive sharks. Also, make note of any surrounding coral. Disturbing coral reefs can result in a hefty fine.

Right Place, Right Time

Getting the most natural light possible is hard to do underwater, even if it’s a clear day. You want to aim for high-noon when the sun is directly above. The sun’s rays go the deepest when it’s straight down.

The positioning of the subject and the sun is also going to be important. You have to think about the background, shadows being cast, and the sun’s glare.

Setting Up Your Equipment

Do all your camera assembly before you arrive. Make sure your camera housing is tight and secure. Do this in a well-lit room, not your car. If you’re an experienced photographer who is used to cramming a tight schedule, make an exception.

Check your o-rings, the lubrication, clean the port and your lens. One mistake could destroy your equipment and there’s no warranty out there that will cover your own negligence.

Try stuffing some desiccant pads into the housing. This will keep your lens from fogging up. Usually, one on each side of the camera is enough to do the job. Double-check your camera’s lens cap, memory card, and battery.

Take your time doing all of these obvious checks to avoid wasting time drying, opening, and resealing.

Settings for Underwater Pictures

There’s no perfect setting for shooting underwater. You can start your aperture size at f8 to compensate for the blurry environment. This is especially true for over/under scenes.

Keep your shutter speed over 1/200s, unless both you and your subject are grounded and the water is very still. Get used to using burst mode, too, even still shots can have an unusual amount of variance.

If your camera has additional focus settings, like Continuous-Servo or AI Servo, use them underwater. They’ll help you get great shots of aquatic life. If your shoots will deal mainly with stationary poses, switch to Single-Servo mode.

If you hold the shutter button down halfway, you can also get tracking focus on-the-fly. This makes it much easier to swap between settings if you can’t access manual focus controls underwater.

We recommend an ISO of 100 or 200 to keep things as clean as possible. Oh, and always shoot in raw, in case you were wondering. Colors and filters are always going to look a bit off underwater, so you should expect to be doing a lot of manual tweaking in Photoshop.

Ready to Conquer the Waters?

We hope this guide has provided some level of confidence for those wanting to try underwater pictures for the first time. As you can see, a great underwater camera is important, but there’s a lot of stuff to account for, too. Bringing stuff to keep everyone cool and comfortable definitely helps, too.

Before jumping into big bodies of water or places with fast currents, practice swimming there. Get used to swimming and diving for long periods. Buy a good snorkel that won’t fog up or hurt to wear.

Being aware of your surroundings is also a priority, so familiarize yourself with the location. You wouldn’t want to be zoned-in on your subject and float into a sharp rock or far enough to introduce water into your lungs.

Once you get a knack for underwater photography, you should start planning for exotic locations. Check out Beek Man Beer Garden’s adventure sports posts for inspiration.

 

Would you rather hit the slopes than hit the beach? If you’re looking for a ski vacation, here are the 3 best ski resorts in the United States.

Not everyone likes the winter weather of snow, cold, and ice. However, there is an upside to those things: cruising down a mountain slope on your skis or your snowboard.

There’s nothing quite like shredding down a mountain of fresh powder with the wind biting at your face and snow getting in your boots. If you’re looking for an awesome ski vacation you won’t soon forget, check out these three ski resorts.

These 3 resorts are some of the best ski resorts in the US.

1. Beaver Creek Ski Resort

Beaver Creek is located in one of the ski capitals of the world: Colorado’s Deer Valley. Modeled after Switzerland’s famous St Moritz resort, Beaver Creek offers up a range of trails from beginner to expert. In fact, there are a whopping 150 runs for you to choose from; you’ll never have to do the same run twice!

The location of this resort promising amazing snow quality: powder, not too much ice, and impeccable grooming will ensure an awesome day on the mountain every day you go.

This resort is also settled in an amazing ski village that offers up great dining experiences, theater, and luxurious ways to pamper yourself after a long day of skiing.

2. Breckenridge Ski Resort

Breckenridge is another famous resort found in Colorado. The high altitude of Breck means that you’ll definitely be facing harsh winds and temperature, but the skiing is worth it.

You’ll experience the highest ski lift in North America, top-rated terrain parks for doing insane tricks, and well-maintained runs that will suit everyone from beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders. You can also find passes, hotels, and restaurants to fit any budget.

Breck is a ski town through and through with awesome shops like Carvers Ski and Bike to get you well equipped for your ski vacation. Breck is also a true resort town in that the nightlife and atmosphere will keep the vacation rocking way past your last run on the mountain.

3. Sugarbush Resort

Now that we’ve given you a couple west coast options, let’s go back east, shall we? East coast skiing has the reputation of being not as good as the West coast, but Sugarbush resort will break this stereotype for you.

Located in Vermont, this resort spreads over 100 runs over 2 mountains to give you variety. The huge area you have to explore also means that you won’t have to deal with huge overcrowding like at other popular ski resorts.

You’ll also have half the trails ungroomed, meaning you can explore true backcountry terrain, find fresh powder, and really see what East coast skiing has to offer.

3 of the Best Ski Resorts in the US: Wrapping Up

The United States offers up some of the best vacations spots in the world. If you’re looking for a ski adventure vacation in the US, these are 3 of the best ski resorts you can find.

Whether you’re a die-hard West coast skier or you want to go out East, one of these resorts will work for you. If you want more info on planning an awesome adventure trip, check out our blog.

The Top 10 Best Campgrounds In America

The United States has an incredible geographic diversity, which means there are tons of amazing place to camp in the country. Click here to take a look at 10 of the best campgrounds in America.

Over 130 national park campgrounds are in the United States.

Trying to cover all of them may take a lifetime. And, depending on where you live, it may take weeks to travel to one.

But you can narrow down your search to the best campgrounds. Every camper should take time to visit the famous ones.

Let’s talk about them.

1. Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, Arkansas

Ozark National Forest is 1.2 million miles worth of beautiful woods, water, and adventure. Vistors to the park often horseback ride or kayak.

Hiking options are also abundant in the Ozarks. The forest is home to 395 miles worth of hiking options.

The Ozark Highlands Trail is this park’s longest trail and stretches 165 miles. Hikers will cross the Buffalo National River and several other water sources.

2. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

The Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most famous parks in the United States. And it’s easy to see why.

With over 300 miles of hiking trails, you’ll see why it’s easy to get lost adventuring Colorado. And if you want to take a break from the hiking, visit Trail Ridge Road.

Trail Ridge Road climbs to a 12,183-foot elevation. This drive will give you a spectacular view of everything the Rockies have to offer.

Before visiting, take the weather into consideration. The temperature alone can range anywhere from -35 to mid-80’s.

3. Everglades National Park, Florida

Everglades National Park in Florida is unlike any other destination. Unlike the dry mountains of the west, you should prepare for a subtropical habitat near the ocean.

Plan your trip with care, and you’ll be able to pitch your tent right on the beach. Hiking options are minimal here. But the water explorations are what make this national park worth visiting.

For example, you can take a 99-mile waterway canoe trip, and you could visit a missile base or tour the Florida Bay. Whatever you do, though, make sure to look for manatees and crocodiles.

4. Arches National Park, Utah

Arches National Park’s name comes from the natural arches inside the park. You can see over 2,000 of these stone arches during your visit.

You can do all hiking trails in the park within a day. The most difficult trail, Primitive Trail at Devil’s Garden, is 7.2 miles, and every other trail is shorter.

But many more activities are in store. Try stargazing, rock climbing, horseback riding, and even canyoneering.

If you don’t take time to indulge in activities, visiting arches is always worth your time. And of course, camping in Arches is always an option, but you should reserve your space months in advance.

5. Acadia National Park, Maine

Tired of the West? Try visiting Maine for your camping needs.

With over miles of hiking and driving destinations, Acadia National Park is a great visit. Rangers take visitors on boat tours and hikes throughout the park.

And if the summer months are too busy, make your visit during the winter. Skiing, snowboarding, and ie fishing are all options during those months.

For camping, check out Duck Harbor Campground on Isle au Haut. This location is perfect for an island adventure.

6. Yosemite National Park, California

We all know and love Yosemite National Park. As one of the most beautiful locations in the United States, this has to be on your list of parks to visit.

Camping is one of the main reasons people visit Yosemite. All 13 camping spots cost a daily fee to use, and you need to reserve spots for many of the locations.

Because the location is so popular, you should even reserve backpacking options. And to beat the traffic, you’ll need to arrive early to go hiking.

7. Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina and Tennessee

The Great Smoky Mountains are a perfect place to visit if you live in the Southeast area. The Smokies are home to 150 official trails, and many of them cross state lines.

Trails throughout the Smokies also have plenty of waterfalls and fishing options. You may even see a black bear or white-tailed deer.

Camping in the Smokies is also an exciting option. These campgrounds can be anywhere throughout the two states.

8. Camp Blanco State Park, Oregon

In Oregon, camping is a must.

Camp Blanco State Park has some of the best campgrounds to offer. While this isn’t a national park, the views are still hard to beat.

One of the biggest attractions of this park is the historic lighthouse and home. You can tour both during the right time of the year.

Camp Blanco only has eight miles of hiking. But a visit to the shore or rock climbing will fill your desire for adventure.

Camping is another way to enjoy this park. Rates for this park are higher than national parks, but the privacy you’ll find will be worth it. Less than 38,000 people visit Camp Blanco each year.

9. Olympic National Park, Washington

Olympic National Park is full of activities throughout the whole year. Don’t limit yourself to hiking and camping.

Adventure through photography, fishing, boating, wildlife viewing, and more. And, if you visit during the winter, make sure to go skiing.

Plenty of campgrounds sit in Olympic National Park. Before going, though, make sure to check availability. Between its popularity and unpredictable weather, it may be hard to get a spot.

10. Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Don’t let the name fool you. Badlands National Park is a must see on your list.

Two campgrounds are in the park, and you can stay for up to 14 days. Like any park, you should reserve your spot in advance.

Plenty of hiking is available in the Badlands, but be careful. Temperatures can range from -40 to 116 degrees.

If you have an archeology interest, you can visit the Badlands to see its paleontology lab. Visitors can watch paleontologists work to find the next great discovery.

Go See the Best Campgrounds!

Now that you have a short list of the best places to visit, get going. There are plenty more to visit afterward!

Check our blog for more travel tips, and please contact us with any questions.