How to pack lightly for a long trip

Is there any greater phrase in the English language than ‘You are now landing in California’? Probably not – it’s a phrase of welcome, palm trees, sunshine, friendly faces and a Hollywood sign presiding over you with the calming presence of a megalithic deity. That’s why the state of California is one of the best places in North America to visit. Whether you want to hit the beach, traipse along the Walk of Fame, witness orange groves that stretch as far as the eye can see, or just relax in your local dive bar, there’s something here for every vitamin D craving tourist. But there are a multitude of things to see and do here, so much so that it can be overwhelming for the casual tourist. That means you’re going to have to don your planning cap and start thinking about an itinerary for your journey. If all that sounds intimidating, fear not – we’re here to give you top tips on how you can make the most out of your first time in this hotspot of the west coast. Fly Ontario Ontario In...

Each week or so I will be bringing in a guest to ask them about their experiences with travel and what it has done for them. Why just take my word for it? Most travel sites and blogs focus on interviewing the “average Joe” that has left everything behind to travel the world. This “average Joe” typically has a travel site of their own and are still out there wandering the globe. Sure I will be tracking down those Joe’s  but what about the “ average average Joe?” The ones that travel for the sake of traveling. The ones that have no ulterior motives. They are the ones truly experiencing everything out of their trip as they are not tidied to a keyboard, a smartphone,  or a deadline. That’s who I am interested in hearing from. In This Post... The Average, Average Joe Series – Cort Smith on Quitting Your Job For Something More What was the proverbial straw that set your trip in motion? Do you miss anything from the 9-5? How did it ...

It was by chance that I visited the Algarve in winter. After a year of living in Spain, I was supposed to be moving back to Scotland. But a visa delay meant that I found myself on a road trip along the Algarve and up to Lisbon and Porto. And thankfully, it turned out to be an awesome detour before I finally made the move!  You might not find the Algarve featuring on a lot of top places to visit in Europe in winter lists, but it really deserves more credit, and I’m going to tell you why! Check out 10 reasons to go, where to go, and what to expect.  Table of Contents 1 Why visit the Algarve in winter 2 Algarve at Christmas 3 Where to go in the Algarve in winter 4 Where to stay in the Algarve in winter 5 What to pack Why visit the Algarve in winter Good weather While some places are definitely worth visiting in winter for the cold and snow (Iceland for example!) the Algarve is a destination that allows you some respite from it. The overall warm and temperate clim...

Melbourne, Australia I am back from an amazing week in Nevada’s Black Rock desert; Burning Man was everything I could have hoped or imagined it would be. I will save my words and photos on that week for another time, though. Now, I am just outside Denver, Colorado, enjoying some rest and relaxation (when do I ever not enjoy it?) after the heat of the desert and the craziness of the partying. Aaron and I are watching movies, making jello shots, and slowly preparing for a road trip that will take us up to Canada – we haven’t decided whether we will go west, through Montana and into the Rockies of Alberta, or if we will drive east, allowing us to visit friends in Cape Cod, Montreal, and Toronto. Either way, it will be yet another incredible adventure in this year – in this life – of mine that keeps getting better and better, that keeps teaching me and opening my mind, opening my eyes, opening my future to things I may not have thought of or known exist...

This is a land where the mountains bend over to kiss the sea. The sun is harsh over here, and the little vegetation left looks tough and scruffy. The eagles roam high over your head as you park your car to the side of the empty road. This must be the 100th viewpoint you stop by but you never tire. Under your feet, the slopes lead to secluded villages scattered across the rocky land; and, so near you could touch them, the myriad sparks of the Mediterranean Sea. On a clear day, you can see the shores of Africa; on days of strong winds, your face gets covered with the sand of the Sahara. This is Andalucia, a dreamland between two worlds and the perfect setting for some majestic road trips: today, let me be your guide in the Alpujarras .   The route This road trip will take you from Trevélez to Lanjarón through typical villages in the Alpujarras mountains. It’s meant as a day trip, but of course you can split it up if you want to spend more time exploring, and particularly...

Visiting Lisbon in winter gives you the best of both worlds. All the awesome sights in one of Europe’s most popular cities, at a cheaper cost and with fewer people. Sure the weather is chillier than in the summertime, but Lisbon is still one of the warmest and sunniest capitals in Europe at this time of year! I never thought twice about going to Lisbon during the winter months, but then I do live in Scotland and love travelling Europe in the off-season! However, I fell in love with the city, and with Portugal as a whole, and I want to share with you the reasons to visit Lisbon at this time, and the things to do in Lisbon in winter (spoiler alert, there’s not too much difference to summer!).   Table of Contents 1 Why visit Lisbon in winter? 2 Things to do in Lisbon in winter 3 What to wear in Lisbon in winter 4 Where to go from Lisbon Why visit Lisbon in winter? There are three main reasons to put Lisbon on your bucket list of European winter destinations. No...

Weather stations can do more than just warn you about impending lightning strikes or incoming high winds. They are the perfect defense for your property, regardless of whether you are a small business or a school. When you need a reliable weather station, Earth Networks has the right equipment for your budget. Monitoring Stations Keep You Ahead of Inclement Conditions Weather monitoring stations are not only able to handle inclement conditions, they can provide data that will provide crucial information you can use year-round. With this information you can prepare for severe weather, protect people and property, and streamline your operations. Weather stations analyze over 25 atmospheric conditions to get you the best information. A school weather station is the first line of defense regardless of whether you live in the soggy South, or snowy Northeast. These devices are built to withstand any condition, as they sit atop the school’s roof. The online weather center takes those image...