How to Be Prepare for Stress Free Travel

What are the best travel hacks?

Although spontaneity is important when traveling, it is a good idea to plan out transportation and accommodations well in advance. You will save money and enjoy the amenities that are the most important to you. There are a few hacks you can employ for a stress-free trip.

Make Your Carry-On Bag Your Only Bag

Unless you’re planning a camping trip, it’s always wise to pack as lightly as possible. Airlines often charge extra if you have a suitcase that will not fit under your seat in the overhead bin and they’re notorious for losing luggage. It can take them days to deliver a missing suitcase to you after they have lost it.

I usually lay my clothes flat to create more room but you can always use the folding method as well.. Our favorite carry-on is the Paravel Aviator Carry-on Hardshell Suitcase. It’s not only chic and stands out among the rest, it also fits a ton.

Download Your Airline’s App

Downloading your airline’s app saves so much time and energy. You have your ticket available electronically so you don’t have to worry about losing or keeping track of a paper ticket and you can choose / change your seat in advance, as well as receive delay updates and more. Some apps even have a luggage tracker in case you do have to check in your bag.

Buy Tickets to Major Attractions in Advance

Have you always wanted to experience Alcatraz? Is there a Broadway show that you have been dying to see? If so, you should buy your tickets online several weeks in advance. It will save you time, money, and the disappointment of not getting a ticket. You can always enjoy things like restaurants and museums on a whim.

Stay in a Luxury Rental Property

Nothing can ruin a vacation faster than a sub-par hotel. and home sharing services tend to be very hit or miss when it comes to quality.

A company devoted to renting luxury corporate apartments to travelers, such as Stafford Housing are tailored in the unique needs of all types of travelers.

Instead of a small room, you will get a full apartment with a kitchen and living area. It is always nice to be able to enjoy a home-cooked meal or two when you are on vacation.

Buy a Portable Charger

You’re most likely spending more time on the go when you’re traveling than when you’re at home and are probably relying on Google Maps to try to get around since maps are a thing of a past so a portable charger definitely comes in handy in this case. The last thing you want to happen when you’re traveling is to be lost in a foreign city where you don’t speak the language!

Relax with CBD

Nothing puts our minds at ease better than a CBD gummie. We love taking one before heading off to the airport, it takes the edge off in a natural and safe way. If you’re wondering which brand is the best, we recommend the all natural, Vegan, Non-GMO, Gluten Free Hemp organically grown by licensed farmers in the US, Kind Urth brand which Zero THC (will not make you “high”).

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Travel Planning Trips

Traveling On a Tight Budget: How Next Vacay Can Take You Places

Taking a vacation is the perfect way to disconnect from your busy schedule and reconnect with the world around you. However, if your budget is tight, finding the funds for a lavish trip might feel impossible. Enter Next Vacay, your go-to resource for finding the best flight deals and putting your vacation within reach.

The Breakdown: What Next Vacay Is

Next Vacay is a subscription-based service that gives you access to the best deals on flights to just about anywhere in the world. It’s different from other flight deal service providers in several key ways. First, you only see deals on flights leaving from your nearest airport(s). No more sifting through pages of flights that don’t apply because they’re departing from other states. Your flight deals are customized for your location, allowing you to see where you could travel to for a great price.

Another difference is that Next Vacay’s powerful and innovative system uses advanced technology to search thousands of flight databases. You’re not limited to a single airline or flight site. Instead, you get the best possible deals as soon as they pop up, sent directly to your email. All deals are verified by the Next Vacay team before they are sent, ensuring that you have accurate information to help you make a decision about when to book.

Airlines often sell discounted tickets to fill flights, but those seats tend to go quickly. If you don’t know where to look or you don’t have the time to spend hours sifting through options, you could end up paying more than you have to for a flight. Next Vacay simplifies the process, connecting you with the best possible prices on flights to a wide range of destinations.

Another key difference between Next Vacay and other flight providers is the fact that Next Vacay is not a third-party booking agent. You book directly with the airline via the link sent in the email from Next Vacay. By booking directly, you can eliminate the middleman and ensure that you’re connected to the airline in the event of a flight change or delay.

Who Is Next Vacay For?

Anyone who loves to travel and save money is a prime candidate for Next Vacay. Flexible travelers tend to get the most value out of the subscription, as the deals that pop up may include dates that fall outside your planned vacation time. If you can adjust your departure or return date, even by a few days, you may be able to score a lower price for the flight.

Make the Most of Next Vacay

It’s helpful to have some flexibility in your departure and arrival location. Driving a few hours to a nearby airport could help you save, as could traveling through a larger hub airport and connecting to your final destination on another flight. Successful Next Vacay users also tend to act quickly, which means staying connected to their email. When an alert comes through, you may need to jump on it to get that price. Flight prices change quickly, depending on demand.

How to Find Cheap Flights With Next Vacay

The first step is signing up with Next Vacay, which authorizes the company to start sending you email alerts about cheap flights. The company offers a free trial period of 30 days, allowing you to start your search at no cost. After the trial period ends, the service only costs $25 per year, so it’s an affordable way to save on flights in the long term. During the signup process, you’ll enter your home airport location. If any airports are within a few hundred miles of that location, Next Vacay will include deals leaving from those airports as well.

Get Started

After you sign up, Next Vacay’s system will begin scanning the databases for flights departing from your nearest airport(s). When any lower-priced tickets pop up in this search, the flight deals team at Next Vacay will verify to determine whether they should be included. You’ll then receive an instant alert after the verification process is successful, which will include details around the ticket price, the range of dates for which that price is available, and the destination. If it looks good to you, click the included link and book your ticket at that affordable rate.

Pros and Cons

Using Next Vacay provides a number of benefits to those who want to score discounts on travel. You can use the system to find flights to destinations all over the globe, including within your home country and to places across Europe, Australia, North and South America, Africa, and Asia. The deals provided via the emailed instant alerts will typically include flights available immediately as well as those up to 10 months out, with a range of dates that allow for some travel flexibility.

If you travel from many different locations and don’t necessarily have a home base, Next Vacay may not be as helpful for you. The system works by searching for deals from your home airport location and other airports within a few hours’ drive, so if you don’t have a location to enter, it won’t be able to perform the database searches. On the bright side, if you have multiple airports you travel out of frequently, you can set up an alert for several, you’ll just need to get in touch with their support team for them to customize your account.

Next Vacay is the most effective if you have some flexibility with your destination and travel dates. If you have firmly set travel plans, Next Vacay can’t guarantee that they’ll find a deal for you to that specific place, within that specific time frame. But, to offer the most flexibility, the team sends deals that are valid up to 10 months away. If you’re able to book quickly, this should still allow you plenty of time to make vacation arrangements at your job. Those who have to request time off and receive approval before booking may also have trouble making the most of Next Vacay, but to offer the most flexibility, the team sends deals that are valid up to 10 months away. If you’re able to book quickly, this should still allow you plenty of time to make vacation arrangements at your job.

No matter your travel budget or where you want to go on your next trip, Next Vacay can help you find affordable flights that make it possible to take that vacation you want to experience. Get started with your free trial and start scoping out the best prices on flights from your nearest airport.

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Advice Outdoors Travel Planning

Conscious Travel: 8 Tips for a Sustainable Vacation

Regardless of our personal opinions, one thing remains an irrefutable fact: our planet is facing an ecological crisis. The environmental changes we witness everyday are increasingly serious and some of them are irreversible. Still, we can try to help the environment with small, but meaningful actions. One of them is sustainable travel. It’s an expanding territory that has grown alongside our own consciousness about the world that surrounds us and awareness of our intrinsically wasteful society. Sustainable travel, in its essence, means being aware of and try to minimize the impact tourism has on the environment and local communities. Here are eight ideas to help you make an informed decision when you go on vacation, keeping in mind you’ll be using your leisure time to contribute to sustainability.

E.R.I.E: Ecological, Responsible, Impactful, Ethical

Four simple words to guide you as a conscious traveler. Ecological is as simple as enjoying the environment in its natural form with activities such as camping. Being responsible just means you have to be aware of how your individual actions can impact local communities. “Impactful comes down to spending your pocket money on helping locals, as opposed to adhere to regular mass consumerism. Ethical refers to your moral duties to respect the environment, animals and communities,” explains Fiona Hill, a lifestyle blogger.

Keep It Local

It’s common knowledge that tourism makes up a huge part of many different economies. However, in order to ensure you are financially contributing to the local communities themselves, it is important to choose local products and activities. Avoid gift shops and their mass market production by choosing local keepsakes instead. A local business will most likely invest its profit back into their community, which is the opposite of what worldwide-known franchise chains do.

Avoid Over-tourism

Popular destinations such as Amsterdam, Venice, Barcelona and Paris might seem like a good vacation option. The history and aesthetics of those places are a no-brainer. However, they do tend to be overcrowded, punching a big hole in sustainability. There are so many other destinations that would benefit from your contribution to their underrated economy. Not to mention that it will be less stressful for you if you’re not constantly surrounded by massive crowds of tourists! “Why not choose the Portuguese islands of Azores or Madeira? Or perhaps explore the Greek paradise that is the Skyros Island? You’d be surprised with the range of alternatives available instead of your standard vacation destination,” says Silvia Olive, a travel blogger.

Alternative Accommodation

Avoid hotels! They are some of the greatest culprits in damaging the environment, with outrageous amounts of food waste, toiletry bottles thrown away without being fully used and AC units on full blast.

Choose hostels, locally owned hotels that don’t belong to international chains, or guest houses.

Say No to Cruise Ships!

Cruise ships are a big no-no in terms of sustainable travel. They are horrendous for the environment and don’t benefit local communities whatsoever when they dock. They pollute the oceans, damaging marine life and they don’t avoid plastic waste and fish consumption.

Pack Light

There are several benefits in packing lightly for your travels. If you choose carry-on luggage with only essentials, planes will carry less weight and consume less fuel. Also, with less luggage to transport, you can opt out of getting a cab from the airport to your chosen accommodation and use public transportation instead. Don’t pack wasteful items like plastic bags, containers or bottles!

No Clue Left Behind

Wherever you choose to travel, ensure you don’t remove objects from their original environment. Don’t litter! Reduce your waste by recycling and packing reusable items. You can always find local recycling points when on vacation.

Choose Mass Transportation

Take small steps to contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions. Choose shared services like Uber and local transport as opposed to taxis. You can also explore cities by walking or being part of bike share programs.

It’s becoming more and more important for us to be conscious about our decisions. We are all part of this planet and have our roles to play, small as they may be. Even when you’re having fun in your vacation, you can make small alterations that will help the environment, as well as creating new experiences for yourself.

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Insider Tips Stories Tech Travel Planning What to Pack

Armchair Travel Books to Help You Travel from Home

From traveling the world (literally) to traveling the world… literary! Covid-19 has completely disrupted the world as we know it across all industries – travel being one of the most impacted. So many of us travelers have had to face difficult, heart wrenching choices to cancel flights and awaited adventures due to closed borders, risk of exposing vulnerable populations and overwhelming local health organizations. It’s a time unlike any other for our planet. But, there’s one thing that we’re turning to in these difficult times… travel books.

We’re the first to admit, we’re major book nerds over here at team Dame Traveler! On any given night you can find us curled up, sifting through photo books, literary novels and destination guides for travel inspiration. There really is something about having a library of stunning travel books to turn to in times when we’re not able to get out there and explore. Armchair exploration will be our guiding light during this time. Clear some space on your bookshelves… here is a roundup of our favorite travel books we’re curling up to while social distancing!

Dame Traveler: Live The Spirit Of Adventure

It’s been the ultimate goal of ours since the creation of Dame Traveler to have a book filled with the brave, courageous women in our community on bookshelves. And here it is! From backpackers in Peru to artists in Berlin to storytellers in Morocco, Dame Traveler: Live The Spirit Of Adventure celebrates the diversity and bravery of women from around the world who are not afraid to think (and live) outside the box. We can’t wait to see it on your bookshelves soon!

The Travel Book

This is kind of like the keystone travel book in our eyes! Lonely Planet’s The Travel Book is a whirlwind trip around the world through every single country in the world. Yep! Every single one. It’s the ultimate introduction to the world of travel and one that we always end up referring to when we need any information on a given destination. Whether you need a book to learn about a specific culture or history, or you’re on the hunt for some photo inspiration for your next trip – this book has got it covered! It’s a tome that any and all travelers will love.

Wonders of the World

A deep dive into the world’s most dazzling sights, both natural and human-made. Of course you’ll find an inside look at the iconic sights like the Taj Mahal, Angkor Wat and the Great Wall of China… but Lonely Planet’s Wonders of the World goes so much further. You’ll find less famous sights that are totally spectacular and less-explored (think tree bridges of Meghalaya, the Rijksmuseum, the Naqsh-e Jahan in Iran, untouched Buddhist temples in Java and so much more). Natural beauties, undeniably striking museums, itineraries and the resources and tools on how to discover them yourself. This book is one we’re always happy to re-read over and over again.

My Lisbon

More than just a cookbook, My Lisbon has the most stunning photography of this gorgeous city in Portugal. The book really takes you into the lives of those who live in Lisbon and also makes for a gorgeous decorative coffee table book.

World Food: Mexico City

Mexico City is truly one of the culinary leaders of the world and the World Food: Mexico City combines 75 recipes, storytelling, and beautiful photographs all in one place.

Cuba!: Recipes and Stories from the Cuban Kitchen

Cuba is one of our favorite places in the world so it’s no wonder why we loved this cookbook. The recipes are fabulous, and the vibrant imagery draws you in.

London In Bloom

Escape to the charming streets of London-town amidst the spring blossoms in “London In Bloom.” The iconic charm of London’s architecture juxtaposed next to the blooming flowers of spring are the perfect escape we’re all craving right now. Inside each page you’ll find unique views of the city, lush, floral beauty, some of London’s best parks, gardens, florists and flower markets too. It’s like a spring-time walk through London through the lens of one of our favorite botanical photographers!

What travel books are you turning to while social distancing? We’d love to know your favorites!

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Advice Middle East Travel Planning

Why You Should Plan A Trip to Oman This Year

There is something very refreshing about choosing to visit a destination you know nothing about and therefore have very few, if any expectations of. Most recently this happened to me when I chose to go to Oman for my honeymoon, not the conventional choice, I know!

I didn’t know anyone that had been there, in fact most people looked at me completely blankly when I told them where I was going. It isn’t the kind of location that pops up on your Instagram feed on the regular either!

When you think of the Middle East, it is hard not to imagine glitzy high rise skyscrapers and attractions that regularly hold the title of “biggest in the world”. Oman is the complete opposite. Stoically understated in design, you will not find a single skyscraper here, in fact, no building is allowed to be higher than fourteen stories in order to preserve the stunning natural beauty of this Gulf country.

Visitors only really started coming here in the 1970s when Sultan Qaboos took over from his father, began to build some infrastructure and set about modernizing the country, before then flinging their doors open to the outside world. The country is now switching gears again in order to increase tourism; a new hassle-free visa process has been introduced for many countries and a huge new airport opened in Muscat in 2018.

A City Break in Muscat

Start your journey in the country’s capital, which will prove beyond a doubt that you don’t need height to have beautiful architecture; just visit the Royal Opera House, Al Alam Palace and Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, a gift from the Sultan to the people to mark his thirty years of reign. Don’t miss exploring Muttrah Souq as well, thought to be one of the world’s oldest Arabian market places.

The real beauty of Oman comes when you leave the city though. It has some of the most diverse landscape of any country I have ever visited; dramatic mountain ranges, deserted white sand beaches and magical Arabian desert, all within a couple of hours drive of the Muscat.

Jabal Akhdar Mountains

Take a road trip to Jabal Akhdar, part of the Al Hajar mountain range, for some respite from the heat; up here roses, apricots and pomegranates flourish on the mountainside, where the temperature is around 15°C cooler. It is the views that really take your breath away here though; deep ravines, wadis with abandoned villages clinging to the sides and more greenery than you would have ever thought possible for somewhere in the Middle East (it’s no coincidence that Jabal Akhdar roughly translates to “Green Mountain”).

You can visit in a day trip, but watching the sun set here is nothing short of surreal; the total silence around you only accentuating the experience, until all you can see are the glittering lights of the ancient city of Nizwa sparkling in the distance.

There are two knockout hotels up here, the Alila Jabal Akhdar and the Anantara; the latter is built around Diana’s Point where you can take in the views from the same spot as the late princess once did in 1986.

Wahiba Sands Desert

Getting to Wahiba Sands from Muscat is a very scenic journey in itself, the coastline is stunning and there are miles and miles of deserted and immaculate beaches.

Actually entering the desert is bit of a surprise; one minute you are bouncing along through a village and the next you take a turn and move immediately from road to sand (not sure what I was expecting?!).

Driving through the desert a very freeing and peaceful experience, until you started dune bashing. Here you can visit communities descended from the Bedouins (nomads who lived in deserts of the Middle East and North Africa) and learn about their lives and culture.

There are a few places to spend the night here. Wahiba Desert Nights Camp is on the more luxe side; your accommodation is an individual Bedouin inspired blend of tent and permanent structure, with hot water in the shower and air conditioning!

You can occupy yourself with desert safaris, camel riding or star gazing, but honestly, the best thing is just to ride up to the top of the highest dune to watch the sun fall in the sky and the sand change from reddish-orange to a dark yellow. The temperature drops quickly, so return to your camp for a communal dining experience with live music and a barbecue.

Final Thoughts

Oman is a stunningly diverse country with a more understated vibe, which is probably one of the reasons it has flown under the radar for so long. Now is the time to come though; Oman’s continuing efforts to increase tourism means it is an easy country to visit and get around, but it is still so much quieter in terms of visitors. I went in October (shoulder season) and outside of the hotels, didn’t come across many non-locals at all.

Bonus: Top Tips for Visiting Oman

A visa is needed for most other countries and is easy to apply for on their e-visa site online. It is only valid for entry within a month of application though, so don’t get ahead of yourself and apply too soon (as I did).
As with other Middle Eastern countries, conservative dressing is required. This means shoulders and knees covered as a minimum and you are required to cover your hair when entering any of the mosques.
Oman is the safest country to visit in the Middle East with a very low crime rate and a very friendly and hospitable culture, so is great for female travelers.
Public transport is not commonplace in Oman and if you are looking to leave the capital, I would recommend getting a driver. You can hire your own car, but driving through mountains and deserts should only be reserved for the most competent and confident drivers.
As with other Middle Eastern countries, try not to visit between June and August where the temperature renders it difficult to step outside and many of the tour operators shut down for the season.

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