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Adventure and Sports

How to Take Instagram-Worthy Underwater Pictures

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.

 

The 3 Best Ski Resorts in the US to Hit the Slopes

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.

How To Plan An Unforgettable Camping Trip!

If you can’t get enough of the great outdoors and would love to plan an epic camping trip, simply continue reading to discover a few tips on planning the best camping trip of your life.

How to plan an unforgettable camping trip:

  1. Choose your companions wisely

Ultimately, it’s your choice of camping companions which will make or break your camping trip. So it’s a wise idea to travel with friends or family members who are fun, positive and low maintenance. Also, make sure that the individuals who you invite on your camping trip will get on well, in order to enjoy your best camping trip yet.

  1. Consider packing luxury items

It is always a good idea to have a camping checklist to ensure you have all the essentials for your trip! To make your trip even better, you could consider packing some luxury items as well. As an example, if you plan on driving to your campsite, it’s well worth packing an air bed and a couple of full-sized pillows, so that you’ll have no trouble falling asleep each night.

  1. Make sure to plan plenty of action-packed activities

Examples of which may include swimming, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, mountain biking, rafting, geocaching, and hiking.

  1. Consider going off grid and logging off your social media accounts for a couple of days

If you want to enjoy every second of your camping trip without worrying about uploading selfies to your social media accounts it’s well worth choosing a camping spot that doesn’t offer Wi-Fi. Alternatively, if your camping spot does offer Wi-Fi make a conscious effort not to turn your smartphone on unless you have to make a call. If you rely on using your phone for photos, just turn your mobile data off for the duration of your trip.

While keeping off your smartphone and social media may be tough at first, after a couple of hours you should find that it’s much more fun focusing on having fun with your travel companions.

  1. Make sure to toast smores and sausages

Nothing tastes better on an epic camping trip than fire roasted smores and sausages. So make sure to pack both for your upcoming camping trip. Just remember to keep your sausages in a portable freezer or an ice box until you use them. Especially in summer.

  1. Consider camping in a national park

If you want to pitch your tent in a picturesque area which boasts stunning views, you can’t go wrong applying for a camping permit which will permit you to pitch your tent in a national park. Just be sure to apply for a permit well in advance as most national parks have a strict quota when it comes to the number of camping permits which they can hand out in a single camping season.

  1. Make sure to pack a first aid kit

While no one plans to get injured on a camping trip, it always pays to be prepared and to pack a first aid kit, which contains band-aids, ibuprofen or paracetamol, tweezers, gauze and antiseptic cream. Also remember, to replace any items which you use on your trip, for future trips. As the last thing you want to do is open your first aid kit on a future trip to find that it’s half empty.

  1. Purchase an inexpensive pack of playing cards

You’ll enjoy playing cards by torchlight when the sun goes down.

So what are you waiting for? There’s no time like the present to plan the ultimate camping trip!

American Beauty: The 10 Best Campgrounds In the U.S.

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.

Sunny Spots To Escape The Winter Blues

Winter has its ups: hot chocolate, extra cozy blankets, taking a hot shower on a cold evening. But it also has its downs: the cold that hits you when you have to get out of bed in the morning; shivering all day because you forgot your jersey at home… and taking a hot shower on a cold evening! Now we could complain about how cold winter is but that would be like complaining about the sun shining — it’s simply a waste of time. So why not change the strategy a bit? Why bear the winter when you could just skip it? Below, we’ve gathered some of the sunniest spots on the planet that you can travel abroad to visit, and all are guaranteed to help you escape the winter blues.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The capital city of a hugely underrated travel destination: Cambodia. While everyone else runs off to Thailand and Vietnam, create your own path and visit Phnom Penh, a towering concrete jungle that somehow never lost touch with nature. Cool down with a one dollar beer, or get a relaxing massage before heading back to the rooftop swimming pool at your hotel.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Home to the only seven-star hotel in the world, the Burj al Arab, Dubai shows that it’s more than ready to compete with the big boys. Dubai also has some of the most jaw-dropping (and not to mention luxurious) shopping malls in the world. The sunshine is year-round and the beaches beautiful. Sick of that winter blues? In Dubai there is no winter blues.

Cape Town, South Africa

History, community, hope, beauty, and strength. Cape Town is the destination of choice for more and more travelers around the world. Visit the docks on a hot day, acquaint yourself with some delicious South African meals, or conquer Table Mountain — take in the view, breathe the air, and embrace the African sun as it shines on both you, and the winter blues you’ve been carrying.

Swakopmund, Namibia

It’s not uncommon for first time visitors to Swakopmund to feel as if they’re stuck in some sort of painting. With picture perfect blue skies, bright green grass, and beautiful architecture lining the streets, it’s not difficult to see why someone might feel they’ve stumbled into a work of art. Walk along the beach and desert at the same time. Stare across the sandy dunes while your feet are washed clean by the ocean. Swakopmund is a living, breathing antidote to the winter blues, and it’s about time you got your medication.

Thanda Island, Tanzania

Maybe you don’t like being around tourists and large crowds of people. Maybe you value privacy, and luxury, and time away from the hustle and bustle of the ordinary. Thanda Island is nestled within Tanzania’s Shungi Mbili Island Marine Reserve, and it offers a wide range of incredible experiences for those of us who appreciate a little privacy from time to time: Go on a truly authentic South African Safari, swim in a crystal clear ocean, wake up to the sounds of the island; to the bustling shoreline and dancing trees. Escaping the winter blues? With this kind of private island accommodation, the winter blues are destined to become nothing more than a fleeting memory!

Maui, Hawaii

What kind of a list would this be if we didn’t include Hawaii? I don’t know but it definitely wouldn’t be a sunny spots list, because of all the sunny spots we know of, Hawaii is one of those destinations which seems to be universally adored. Those ideas and images we all have of beach, sun, palm trees and shade — they can all be found in Hawaii. Explore the local cultures, visit lush forests, or, if you’re feeling adventurous, get a closer look at a volcano. It’s easy to see why so many people think of Hawaii as a type of Eden — a place where the sun always shines and nature always flourishes. What more could you ask for?

With destinations like these, you’re going to hope that the Winter Blues swings by more often — that way you’ll get more and more chances to escape it — to experience what’s out there; out there where the sun always shines and the waves are always rolling; in and out… in and out. If there’s one thing I can say with certainty, it’s that the winter blues don’t stand a chance!

8 Tips for Planning Your Next Outdoor Adventure Vacation

Do you dream of doing something really fun this summer, instead of the traditional boring vacation? Go for it! Here are 8 tips to help you plan your next adventure vacation, so you can have one of the best trips of your life.

Are you one of the millions of Americans planning on taking a vacation soon? With 28% of vacation-goers saying they plan on taking 3 or more trips this summer, you may feel the pressure to be one of them.

If you’ve made a habit of taking laid-back vacations in the past, you may want to swap your local beach out for an action-packed adventure vacation. Snorkeling, biking, hiking, and kayaking are just a few of the awesome experiences you may be in for.

But what if you’ve never traveled to one of the many adventurous vacation destinations before? How will you know what to expect? Well, good news! We have plenty of tips just for you.

Do you want to know more? Keep reading to discover 8 tips for planning your next outdoor adventure vacation.

1. Know Your Travel Style

Before you do anything, you need to get real with yourself. Backpacking through Southeast Asia may sound fun in theory, but if you can’t handle big bugs or lumpy beds, you’re going to be in for a rough trip.

Think about what you can handle and what is a deal breaker. Do you need a private room, a hot shower, complimentary breakfast, room service, or reliable Wi-Fi? Do you need a nice hotel room, or are you okay renting a bed out in a dorm-style hostel room?

While it’s always a good idea to try new things, pushing yourself too far out of your comfort zone with travel style can ruin your vacation.

2. Set a Realistic Budget

Money talks, and you’ll likely need plenty of it when going on your adventure vacation.

The most important part of planning a successful trip is deciding what your budget is and sticking to it! If you have a smaller budget, check out countries in South America and Southeast Asia – your money will go a lot further here than it will in Europe or Australia.

Think about all the costs you’ll incur on vacation – airfare, taxi fees, visas, hotels, food, and activities. Keep a list of how much you would realistically spend on each of these. Popular tourist activities and food in touristy areas can get expensive even in the cheapest countries, so be sure to factor that in!

And don’t forget about what you need to do to prepare for your trip. Do you need vaccines, a new bathing suit, sunscreen, a new camera, or hiking boots? These costs can add up considerably!

What it comes down to is setting a realistic budget and choosing a comparable destination. You may want to take a 2-week trip to Paris, but if your budget is only $1,000, you won’t have enough money to enjoy yourself – you may not even have enough for a plane ticket!

3. Travel by Season

Alright, so you’ve set your budget and picked a destination! You may be looking at outdoor vacation ideas now but try not to get ahead of yourself. First, you need to do some research on weather patterns.

If you’ve only traveled domestically before, this may be something that you’ve never consciously thought of before because summer = warm. But, not every country is like this.

Depending on what your potential adventurous vacation destinations are, you may find that each destination has a different peak season. Some places experience wet seasons, monsoons seasons, or hurricane seasons. While it’ll be cheaper to travel during these times, you may get stuck with some bad (and potentially dangerous) weather.

Be sure to look out for average temperatures, too. If you can’t handle the intense heat and humidity of some tropical places, you may want to go during their winter where it’ll be cooler (but not cold) and dryer.

4. Take Your Time Packing

Packing mistakes…we’ve all made them. But packing for an adventure vacation can be a little more difficult. Think about what you pack when you go to your local beach – shorts, t-shirts, bathing suits, flip-flops, and plenty of sunscreens.

When going to one of the best vacation spots for outdoor activities, you’ll probably have a more extensive packing list. You may need water shoes, hiking shoes, a snorkel, and mask, or special rock climbing gloves.

If you plan on doing a lot of exercise or sight-seeing in a humid area, you’ll probably go through more than one outfit a day. Nobody wants to interrupt their vacation to do laundry, so make sure you write a full list of everything you’ll need and read “what to wear in ….” articles for advice.

The key is to pack enough, so you’re well prepared, but not to pack too much that it doesn’t all fit in your carry-on and checked bag.

5. Think Hard Before Inviting Anyone to Join You

Do you have your travel buddy? Whether it’s a spouse, friend, or coworker, most people have a travel buddy in mind when they decide to take a vacation.

You may not think this will be a problem, but traveling to adventurous vacation destinations can cause a lot of arguments to ensue. Before inviting anyone to join you on your vacay, make sure you would be on the same page. Do they have a similar budget and travel style? Do they like to do the same activities?

If you want to take a luxurious Dominican Republic trip, where you stay in 5-star villas and take helicopter rides, but they want to stay in 3-star hotels and go biking all day, someone’s in for a world of disappointment.

6. Get in Shape

If you’ve opted for one of the best vacation spots for outdoor activities, you’re probably planning an itinerary full of hiking, biking, and swimming.

You may think that you’re plenty in shape now (and you very well might be), but it never hurts to focus on getting in shape right before you depart. You never know what fun activities or outdoor vacation packages you’ll come across when you’re there.

You may be able to bike for an hour on a smooth path with a gentle incline. But what if you go to Australia and decide to do a full-day biking tour with Blue Mountain Adventures? You’ll want to make sure you can do the more challenging paths to make the most of your trip.

7. Think of Backup Activities

Once you’ve chosen your adventure vacation destination, you probably wrote a whole list of potential activities. If you’re anything like many adventure-seekers, the majority of these activities are probably outdoors.

If you planned to travel during the right season, this shouldn’t be a huge problem. However, the rain doesn’t stop for anyone. You should make a list of backup activities in case weather impedes your original plans. Look for cooking classes, spas, museums, zoos, or anything else that can take a few hours.

But, it’s not always the rain’s fault. Sometimes tours get canceled, or your train runs late causing you to miss your activity scheduled for the day. While this may be frustrating, things do happen – c’est la vie!

You won’t want to waste your day dwelling on your ruined plans and searching for alternatives. That’s why having a list ready is the best way to go. You can just pick another activity and move on with your vacation.

8. Research Your Location

You’ve probably already done a ton of research on your location, including average hotel costs, popular activities, food to try, and peak seasons. But don’t forget to research the boring stuff as well.

One of the first things you should do is research the visa requirements and suggested vaccines. You’ll want to get those out of the way as early as possible.

Next, investigate small things you may not have thought of. Is it customary to tip in this location? If so, how much? What are the available transportation options? Which is the cheapest or most convenient mode of transportation?

Lastly, research how safe the location is. Should you avoid traveling at night? Should you stay in the touristy areas at all cost? What scams are common?

The last thing you want is to find yourself unprepared for your destination. Failing to research any of these topics can cause you to get scammed, sick, or stranded.

How to Prepare for an Adventure Vacation

Are you excited to take your first adventure vacation? While you may have traveled before, preparing for an adventurous trip can be a lot different than taking a local trip.

To make the most of your vacation (and to help ensure things run smoothly) you should know your travel style, create a realistic budget, travel during the right season, pack well, be careful who you invite, get in shape, think of backup activities, and research your location.

Did you like this article? Check out our blog for more great content like this.

5 Exotic Cruises You Need To Know About

Cruises are a blast, but how many times can you really travel around the Caribbean before you get bored? Check out these 5 exotic cruises and enjoy a more interesting conversation.

If you’re going to spend the money on a cruise, why not explore something more than the predictable and postcard-ready Carribean? An exotic cruise will give you the relaxing pleasures of a vacation while curbing your adventurous cravings.

Take your expedition to the next level with suggestions from this quick list of exotic cruises below, courtesy of the explorers at Beekman Beer Garden.

5 Exotic Cruises for the Adventurous Heart

Whether your trip takes you somewhere near home or somewhere abroad and unfamiliar, an exotic cruise can change your perspective on life! Here are five cruises that are up to the challenge:

1. The Snowy Arctic

Arctic cruises offer unique sights all around, boasting dark, icy waters and wildlife like polar bears, reindeer, walrus, and certain whales. See the harsh, cold side of planet Earth from the warm and cozy confines of your cruise quarters.

Cruising the Arctic and along Norway’s coast will offer many unforgettable sights, including the unpolluted lights of the northern sky.

2. Myanmar (Burma)

A cruise in this Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar will expose you to exotic, mysterious sights and rich culture. Cruising down the Irrawaddy River, you’ll coast down shallow waters alongside monasteries and temples in the misty forests.

Enjoy one of a kind scenery in luxury and comfort in a traditional Burma riverboat.

3. Tahiti and Fiji

You can’t come by clearer or brighter tropical waters than in the South Pacific. Cruising here, you’ll stop into bustling ports and clean beaches as you coast through some of the most beautiful oceans on the plant.

Embark on tropical excursions such as reef snorkeling and animal watching during your stops and enjoy fresh, wild-caught seafood.

4. Galapagos Islands

A trip to South America exposes you to a world of culture and exotic lifestyle that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world. A Galapagos cruise, far off the coast of South America in the Pacific, is no exception.

A province of Ecuador, Galapagos is infamous for its diverse wildlife and beautiful landscapes. It was here that Darwin founded his theory of evolution after encountering the isolated and wonderful animals on the islands.

Cruising the deep Pacific waters around Galapagos, you’ll be able to explore strange lands and encounter stranger wildlife in comfort and style. Research Galapagos Islands cruise reviews online to get a better idea of what’s in store.

5. The Amazon River

Few rivers have the reputation and grandeur that the Amazon boasts, considering the lush green forestry and the diverse local wildlife. Piranha and beastly snakes swim the same waters that riverboats cruise along, putting visitors in the hot seat.

Amazon cruises keep a safe distance from such wildlife, but visitors are likely to spot wildlife by sound if not by sight. Some cruises make stops into river villages or on safe hiking excursions deep into the thick and diverse forests for a closer look.

Tapping into your sense of adventure doesn’t have to be without its share of luxury and comfort, as an Amazon river cruise will provide.

Get Connected to the Adventure

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15 Places to Visit for the Best Safaris in Africa

An African safari is something on the bucket list of many people. To see incredible animals in the wild is an experience of a lifetime. Learn more about where to go for the best safaris in Africa with this useful guide.

Africa is undoubtedly one of the most interesting places one could visit. Known for its diverse wildlife and majestic landscapes, it certainly offers visitors an unmatched once-in-a-lifetime experience.

It’s no wonder that more than 30 million tourists travel to Africa each year. It’s the number one tourist destination in the world for safaris. If you have the opportunity to travel to Africa and take part in one of these extraordinary excursions, you’re likely to see for yourself why it’s such a hotspot for adventurists.

Have you been thinking about going on an African safari, but don’t know where you would start?

Never fear. We’re here to help you choose the perfect spot before you set out to travel abroad.

Check out our picks for the best safaris in Africa!

15 of the Best Safaris in Africa

Africa is home to over 1,100 species of animals and over 2,600 species of birds. While you’re there, you’re sure to get a better look at some of the wild and wondrous creatures.

Here are just some of the inhabitants living in Africa that you might not find anywhere else:

  • The African Elephant, which is the largest living land mammal
  • The Nile Crocodile, the largest African reptile, is known for killing hundreds of people each year
  • Four out of five of the fastest land animals live in Africa, including the wildebeest, cheetah, lion, and Thomson’s gazelle
  • The gorilla, known for being the largest primate on Earth
  • “Goliath” frogs, which can reach a foot in length

Although there are thousands of unique species that are native to the continent of Africa, they aren’t often seen by tourists in many areas.

If you want to cross the best safaris in Africa off your bucket list, we’ve got the places you won’t want to miss.

1. Maasai Mara, Kenya

The Maasai Mara National Reserve is located in the southwest region of Kenya, near the Tanzania border. It’s famous for its spectacular ecosystems and a hearty population of big game animals.

It’s one of the best places on the continent to see the lion in its natural habitat. It’s also one of the few locations where you can view the Great Migration when millions of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope cross the Mara River each year between July and October.

2. The Serengeti, Tanzania

The Serengeti National Park sits adjacent to the Maasai Mara, and it’s the other destination where tourists can watch the annual Great Migration over the Mara River.

Here, zebra and antelope can be found grazing on the grasslands. These animals attract many predators, and tourists can often catch the lion and cheetah in action as they chase their prey.

The Serengeti is much larger than the Maasai Mara, and often less crowded.

3. Chobe National Park, Botswana

The Chobe National Park is one of the few places that boasts four diverse ecosystems.

In addition, the Savuti Marsh inhabits one of the continent’s most diverse population of wildlife throughout the entire year.

Awestruck tourists are likely to sight a few of the thousands of elephants that live here during their visit. And, a large population of exceptional bird species can also be found living here.

You might also have the opportunity to hunt and bird watch as you paddle through the river marsh, an option that attracts many to the region

4. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Uganda offers some of the best safaris in Africa for those adventure-seekers who are on a tight budget. Some of the safaris cost as little as between $1,000 and $2,000 dollars, according to U.S. News.

For such a reasonable price, you might expect to be shortchanged. But, you would be mistaken.

The region is covered by dense rainforests, where over half of the world’s mountain gorillas live.

Sadly, only about 880 of these enormous primates are still alive in the wild.

5. Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is one of the most popular South African safaris. Due to the wide range of accommodations that are available here, many first-timers choose this as their destination.

Here, visitors can often expect to see the Big 5, as well as the cheetah and many small cats.

The African wild dog can also be found here, although its population is not as great as it is in other places in Africa.

6. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

The Hwange National Park is one of the least crowded safari destinations that are popular amongst tourists.

The park is home to an enormous population of wild elephants and buffalo. Many lions live here as well.

One of the notable things distinguishing this region is its native wild African dog packs. It’s the best place for spotting these animals, as several well-established families live on the land.

7.Okavango Delta, Botswana

When visiting this sprawling delta, tourists often sightsee the islands by way of boat.

Many prefer to visit during the annual flood when the large populations of wildlife are confined to the islands. This gives tourists a greater opportunity for viewing a larger number of animals and birds during their safari adventure.

You might catch glimpses of elephant, antelope, hippos, crocodiles, lions, cheetah, as well as huge populations of native birds.

8. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

This location is favored as a walking safari, which is allowed by the park’s overseers. The walking safari is good for tourists traveling alone or in groups.

While traipsing the land, tourists are likely to spot a large variety of animal and bird species. The list of inhabitants includes elephant, hippo, lions, and antelope.

In addition, there are over 400 species of birds that live here.

9. Addo Elephant National Park

The Addo Elephant National Park is located on the Eastern Cape.

One of the main reasons tourists trek here is because it’s the only place where you might find the Big 7. The Big 7 includes the African elephant, Cape buffalo, African lion, African leopard, African rhino as well as whales and Great White sharks.

10. Etosha National Park, Namibia

This unique location hosts a salt pan that can be spotted from space. Many visitors enjoy touring the area by moonlight when the park’s abundant nocturnal animal population can often be seen milling about.

Elephants, hyenas, and cheetahs live here. But, the most popular animal among tourists is often the black hippo, due to its critically endangered classification.

11. Ngronongo Conservation Area, Tanzania

Not only is this area home to many beautiful and diverse wildlife species, it’s landscape is a sight to see in itself. Its volcanic crater is the largest unflooded, unbroken caldera in the world.

In addition to lovely pink flamingos, black rhino, and elephants, you might also find it interesting that native tribes continue to inhabit the area.

12. iSimangaliso Wetland Park

The iSimangalsio Wetland Park borders St. Lucia Lake, which is the only place in the world where you will find sharks, hippos, and crocodiles living in the same body of water.

Its famous wetlands include an interesting mix of salt and freshwater. And, this is the first location in Africa to earn World Heritage Status.

The park contains most of the remaining swamp lands in the South African region.

13. Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro National Park

This national park is home to the highest mountain peak in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, which is also the largest free-standing mountain in the world.

Many tourists choose this safari so that they can couple it with a climb up the famous mountain. However, there is a healthy population of interesting wildlife that lives in the park’s area as well. One can find zebra, wildebeest, and many more animals grazing over the parklands.

In addition, the park is well known for its plentiful vegetation, including African wildflowers, and other native plants.

14. Kibale Forest, Uganda

Southern Africa is famous for its large populations of primates. In fact, it hosts many rare species, including the endangered gorilla.

The Kibale Forest in Uganda is known as being the best place to view the continent’s chimpanzee population. In addition, visitors can stroll at a slower pace during the forest’s walking safari.

15. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park features a large area of unspoiled wilderness. It’s located in the northern region of South Africa and consists of mostly desert land.

Here, tourists may be able to see several of the park’s famous animal species, such as the Kalahari black-maned lions, the Gemsbok, or the Oryx.

Ready to Book Your African Safari?

If you’re ready to experience an African safari, Earthlife Expeditions can help you choose an option that’s just right for you. They offer several choices for tourists wishing to get up close and personal with the wildlife in Africa.

Want More Great Advice for Traveling the World?

Of course, the best safaris in Africa are one of the most amazing opportunities for world travelers. But, it’s not the only place where you can spot phenomenal views and enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences. There are many more spots in our great big world that deserve your attention, too.

Check out this post about another one of our favorite world-famous locations for travelers who crave adventure!

Jazz Up Your Campfire Pow-Wow with These Great Camping Cocktails

Jazz Up Your Campfire Pow-Wow with These Great Camping Cocktails

Bring a 12-pack of beer is a given when you’re going camping. But, what if you want something with a little more punch? Here’s a collection of our favorite camping cocktails that’ll make your camping trip a little more fun!

Don’t you love the crackling of a campfire? The radiating heat and the warm glow it gives people’s faces? What if you could add an awesome camping cocktail to that mix?

You’re probably thinking, I don’t want to bring my whole bar cart to the tent! It’s heavy!

We’ve thought that through. All the cocktails on our list use three ingredients max and we did our best to pick versatile mixers. With lemonade, beer, and whiskey you’ve got options for two drinks.

Learn how you can stretch that to make three camping cocktails below.

The Summer Shandy

What’s better than a beer? A glass of beer and a refreshing glass of lemonade at the same time.

Enter, the Summer Shandy. It’s not as acidic as mixing lemonade with hard liquor and you get the carbonation of the beer.

Bring the beer and the bottle of lemonade along in your cooler. The kids can have lemonade while the grownups get fancy. Learn more!

The best beers to pair with lemonade are light ales, light IPAs, or Pilsners. Don’t try it with the powder mix-in. Spring for a bottle of nice premixed lemonade, stored by the juices.

An Old Fashioned

When choosing the drinks for this list, we thought, “what is the least we have to carry?” You don’t need much to make an old-fashioned!

A small bottle of bitters, sugar, bourbon, water. You were bringing water and sugar anyway.

The Maple Leaf

If you can’t decide between these two, there’s a third drink that you can make with lemonade and bourbon. A maple leaf!

Pour a shot or so of bourbon, mix with twice the amount of lemonade and add maple syrup on top. If you didn’t bring any maple, sugar or honey will also do.

That’s three drinks you can make, without bringing extra ingredients for the third.

A Hot Toddy

What’s better than hot tea around the campfire or fireplace (we like glamping). All you need for a hot toddy is tea and whiskey.

We like a sweet or citrus tea, like lemon ginger or anything with apple. Boil the water first, steep the tea and add your whiskey at the end.

If you want to be fancy, add a cinnamon stick for stirring/garnish. If you have fruit on hand, squeeze a little juice into the mug.

Whiskey Coke

Yes, this simple and classic drink travels well! All you need are cans of coke (or bottles) and whiskey.

For less trash to take care of and pack-out, don’t even bother with a cup. Drink some of the coke and pour the whiskey in. Pour it slowly to keep the carbonation from overflowing.

It mixes in the can and you have the whiskey on-hand for a hot toddy. To reduce what you have to carry, even more, tape the tea bag (find the kind that are individually wrapped) to your coke can.

Now you have everything you need for two drinks in one place. Leave the straw at home though, the less trash you bring into the campsite the better!

You need to pack out what you pack in, so save yourself the effort.

Whiskey Ginger

You should always have a ginger ale on hand, it’s a cure for just about anything. Ginger is an ancient remedy for headaches, nausea, upset stomachs – it’s nature’s Pepto Bismol.

You can also mix ginger ale with almost anything. Lemonade, orange juice, anything sweet.

Whiskey and ginger ale? A winning combination.

And, it’s one other can you have to bring with you, instead of a few different things to mix with.

You can use the same trick of mixing it in-can to reduce trash and possible pollution.

Fewer dishes to carry and clean at home too!

Berry Smash

Are you camping somewhere you can pick berries in the wild? Make sure they’re berries you recognize before you try them!

If you happen upon a blackberry or blueberry bush, pick some and wash them off with bottled water.

Then squeeze them into an empty bottle, squishing them a little as you go. Add some sugar or honey and some whiskey. Maybe some ginger ale for good measure.

Put the cap on and shake until everything is well mixed. Using your camping knife, slice open the bottle so the berries can escape. You don’t want that deliciousness stuck in the bottleneck!

Pour and serve. It’ll be nice and frothy from shaking and summer-sweet from the berries. What could be better?

Camping Coffee

You don’t need a fancy cream-based bottle of Baileys to make your camping mornings great. All you need is a little whiskey.

Put a few dashes in your coffee in the morning and see how well it warms you up!

Obviously don’t over do it if you’re going on a hike or doing anything physical. You can’t be tripping over rocks or making drunk decisions in dangerous circumstances.

That stands for all the drinks on this list. It’s nice to relax, but your safety comes first.

Camping Cocktails

When you’re planning a camping trip, make sure you bring what you need for water and food first. Your hydration is very important when you’re in the wilderness.

Alcohol dehydrates you so make sure you have a serving of water for all the camping cocktails you throw down.

Create as little trash as you can and reuse what you bring. Like our tips about mixing your cocktails in-can!

It’s all about having the most fun and leaving the least evidence that you were there.

See ya out there!

5 Things To Do In Cape Verde – Isla de Sal

The island of Sal (Ilha do Sal in Portuguese) is one of the ten islands of Cape Verde and is very close to the westernmost part of Africa. Named for the active salt industry that operated between the 18th century and mid-1980s in the crater of an extinct volcano, today it has become a perfect vacation paradise for water sports lovers with its white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and coral reefs.

Don’t be fooled by appearances, because despite its volcanic origin it is an island without significant variations in level. This flat land, together with its warm climate (temperatures rarely fall below 20ºC) and dry, tropical climate, will allow you to enjoy its beaches practically all year round.

1. Visit the salt flats of Pedro Lume

The salt flats of Pedro de Lume and Cagarral are part of the protected areas of Cabo Verde. These salt flats are unique because they are three meters below sea level and are located inside a volcanic crater that is no longer active. During your visit, you can swim in them and experience a sensation similar to that of bathing in the Dead Sea, as their high levels of salt make the bodies float in the water.

Although it is necessary to pay for access to the site and then take a fresh water shower, your visit is undoubtedly the most advisable not only to enjoy this particular geographical feature but also to learn a little more about the history of this island and benefit from its therapeutic waters.

North of Espargos, the capital city, the mirage of Terra Boa appears like a lake in the desert landscape. The island’s white sandy beaches include the long crescent-shaped coastline of Santa Maria, a busy city on the south coast.

2. Getting to know the magical “blue eye”

The Blue Eye or Blue Eye is one of the natural treasures of the island of Salt and is located to the northwest of the capital, Espargos. It is a stone grotto built by Mother Nature and shaped like an eye, hence its name. With a depth of about 18 meters and some 100 meters from the sea, a precious optical effect takes place inside the cave: the sun rays that get into the cave are reflected in the water and turn it turquoise.

In addition to enjoying the magnificent natural pools of this area, called Buracona, is a perfect place for scuba diving and can be visited from early morning to better appreciate the contrast.

And to make your visit to this area even more rewarding, take a stroll through the picturesque fishing village of Palmeira, just 5 kilometers south of La Bucarona, which has become the most important port on the island. From there you can take the ferries that connect with some of the remaining islands of the archipelago.

3. A visit to Espargos, its capital city

Espargos is not a tourist city in use. Here you won’t find any great monuments or places to visit, but walking through its narrow streets will allow you to discover the real life of the city’s inhabitants. This is a good example of a Cape Verdean city where you can enjoy streets without tourism and interact with the local population.

4. Seeing the turtles

One of the most magical and special experiences you can have on Salt Island is watching sea turtles come out of the water to lay their eggs or small baby turtles hatch to make their way into the sea and swim in the water for the first time. Children love it! It all depends on the season of the year in which you visit (for example, the month of August is when they lay eggs while hatchings do not take place until October). To be able to witness this, you can contact an association such as Turtle SOS, which organizes nightly walks, go on your own or hire a local guide.

5. Practicing aquatic activities and enjoying the beach

In the area of Santa Maria is one of the most famous beaches of the island of Sal and one of the Seven Wonders of Cape Verde for its white sands and transparent waters. Despite its quiet appearance, it is an ideal place to practice scuba diving, surfing, flyboarding or to rent a hydro-pedal or jet ski. On this beach, you will also find a sculpture of Cristo Rey with open arms that, according to the locals, blesses and protects the human being from the sea. At the end of the day and after so much activity, a good plan is to relax on one of the many esplanades or have a drink at the beach restaurants (lobster is one of the most typical local dishes) while enjoying the sunset.

Another interesting beach is Ponta Preta, very famous for its waves of more than three meters high, which makes it a favorite of those who practice sea and wind sports such as kite, windsurf or surf. In fact, many are the professional sportsmen who practice in Ponta Preta because there they find the ideal conditions to practice maneuvers and prepare their participation in international championships.

Where to stay on the Isle of Sal?

One of the most important choices for any traveler is accommodation, and there are many hotels in Sal to choose from. In the end I opted for the hotel Sol Dunas of Meliá. It’s a great resort for families with children, many pools and close to the beach. We had already been to other Meliá hotels in Cape Verde, so we preferred to choose something we already knew and it also gives us points for the next trips.