Hi there, guys and dolls, workday Wednesday is already here! And what a doozy it is. You see, all kinds of mayhem happened while the boss took a little vacation out of town. Not that we don’t…
What's new at Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in 2018, including a look at Energy Explorers, a temporary exhibit with hands-on activities for children.
An area of low pressure over Iceland that lasted for six years starting in 1914 brought heavy rains and cold air to Europe, 'substantially' increasing casualties in the First World War, study claims.
Shopping in a souk can be a mystery. The guidebooks command you to bargain -- but how, without either feeling like an idiot or an Ugly American?
Focus on the good.
I love beautiful Nature photo
Have you ever seen the Russell Crowe movie Master and Commander? If not, you should. It's a really great film. The other day I was thinking about thinking (because that's just the sort of thing I do...) and I realized that there's not a lot of things we are in control of, but one area of our lives where we are the master and commander is our thoughts. We all know that negative self talk is damaging, but oh so prevalent. It seems that not an hour can go by without us saying something mean and cruel to ourselves. "Your stomach isn't flat enough" "You're too short" "You don't know how to have fun." The negativity goes on and on and on. We are constantly telling ourselves that we are not enough and this just perpetuates the vicious cycle. What if instead of giving credence to these damaging thoughts we changed the dialogue? Since we are the ones in charge, we can be the ones to redirect the course. As silly as it may sound, channeling our mind to a completely different topic (I like to start counting in French because that really does take up all of my concentration) can effectively lead us away from the idea that we are not good enough. This is not something which comes easily, especially if you've been negative self talking for a substantial amount of time. As great as it would be to not only stop this negativity and replace it with positivity (and actually believe it), I understand that is not possible to achieve overnight. What we can do, however, is have the discipline to change our thoughts to something else entirely. What I've taken to doing (aside from the French) is whenever I am about to compare myself to another woman I instead pay her a compliment in my mind. "Those are really nice colors on her backpack" "Her hair is wonderfully shiny" "Those shoes are quite cute." Doing this has shown me that I can appreciate what someone else has without being jealous or using it as a way to knock myself down. This positivity that I have been putting out has manifested itself in my life. Just the other day I was getting breakfast and a girl said to me "I love your lipstick color! It looks so great on you." Yes, this is a small compliment and may not seem like such a big deal, but at that moment in time it was exactly what I needed. The more kindness we put out into the world, the more we get in return. This is exactly why we need to be good to ourselves. As we teach ourselves that kind thoughts are much more powerful and true than harsh ones, it will become easier and easier to turn to positivity. How do you deal with negative thoughts? -AJF
From Baroque, bat-filled halls to modern meeting places, these beautiful libraries are a bibliophile's dream.
Click here to discover the main differences between VRBO vs. Airbnb, the top 2 vacation rental platforms. A full comparison is found here!
Our vacation ideas will give inspiration and amazing tips to inspire your next luxury getaway.
Use these money-saving tips to plan a budget-friendly Gulf Shores & Orange Beach vacation.
Are you scouring the internet for a decent cheap hotel room at a prime location? Can't find anything within your budget? Are your travel plans slipping away because of it? Yup, I've been there. I've canceled plans because I couldn't justify the crazy hotel cost. Now I just turn to Airbnb.
Need a little something to keep your travel plans in order? Then, we’ve got the checklist for you… Apply for your Passport You've been waiting for that abroad experience for what it seems to feel like years. Finally, you book that dream vacation, but realize –oh, no! I need a passport. So now what? As a travel agency, we hear this all the time. We encourage you to apply for it, here to get started. Vacation Insurance Whether you’re traveling overseas, or across the country –it’s crucial to have comprehensive insurance during your travels. Here’s a list we think you should consider before taking off. Trust us, you’d rather be safe than sorry! Home Security Whether you’ll be gone for a weekend, or for an entire week out of the country, it’s important that you make sure your home and belongings are secure before leaving. Here’s some tips to consider so your mind is at rest when you’re gone. Packing Tips We have all gotten to our said destination and realized that we forgot to pack our flip flops, our dinner outfit, or worse- our favorite bikini! These are the rules we live by when planning for vacation. Happy packing! Travel Documents Some documents to bring along? Your passport, visas, airline miles card, a copy of your itinerary, any tickets or confirmation numbers, travel insurance, guide books, important contact info, copies of important docs, to name a few. Airport Prep For a domestic flight, you’ll want to consider leaving at least 2 hours before your flight departs. For an international flight, we’d suggest adding an extra hour. This of course depends on the hub you’re leaving from, the season you’re traveling, as well as the time of day. Connect with a Travel Expert That would be us! We serve as an important resource at no cost to you because we’ve been all across the world in search of awesome recommendations and travel tips for our clients. Discover why working with a travel specialist gives you the biggest bang for your buck. For more information, be sure to connect with us at [email protected] today.
There are some great ideas to get away with your family this summer for inexpensive summer vacations. Plan a fun trip your kids will!
When thinking of booking a vacation there are so many choices these days it can be hard to make a decision between a cruise or land vacation
Some Actually Realistic Ways for Average People to Save $$ on Vacations Don't buy water or drinks at restaurants. This can rack up your...
Ed Hewitt started traveling with his family at the age of 10 and has since visited dozens of countries on six continents. He wrote for IndependentTraveler.com for more than 20 years, producing hundreds of columns on travel and offering his expertise on radio and television. He is now a regular contributor to SmarterTravel. An avid surfer and rower, Ed has written about and photographed rowing competitions around the world, including the last five Olympic Games. He's passing his love of travel on to the next generation; his 10-year-old son has flown some 200,000 miles already.
Don't be scrambling to get things done before your vacation. Follow our complete pre-vacation checklist and insure a relaxing start to your trip.
A Disney vacation is a dream vacation for many families. If you went to Disney as a child, chances are you want to recreate those memories with your kids. The only problem is that it
Jamie Ditaranto is a traveler in a love triangle with writing and photography. Follow the drama on Twitter @jamieditaranto and Instagram @jamieditaranto. Ditaranto joined SmarterTravel in 2015. She loves ecotourism, cities with history, and discovering local hangouts. Though she likes all the continents equally, she holds a special place in her heart for rainy little islands. Her work has also appeared online at USA Today, Huffington Post, Business Insider, and other publications. You can check out her photography on her website. The Handy Item I Always Pack: "My instant camera comes in handy for giving instant gifts to new friends." Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Befriending penguins in Antarctica." Travel Motto: "You have to get the hard places out of the way first." Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "On short flights, the window. For long flights, the aisle." Email Jamie at [email protected].
Renting an RV is a great alternative to a regular road trip, and is great for family bonding. We’ve got the details on renting an RV.
Summer is a time for road trips! A successful family road trip isn't easy to pull off these days. I'm sharing five ways to ensure a successful family road trip.
