How Not To Fall Down A Mountain!

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Hiking, be it easy or hard trails, is for everyone as long as they’ve prepared themselves for the trek, brought the proper gear and checked out how long it’s going to take to reach the summit. Some hikes in America can be done in a day, which is perfect for when you’re due back in the office Monday morning after a long weekend!

Kings Canyon National Park, California

Normally, it’s only after a long, arduous all day hike or gruelling overnight stay that you reach the summit in some national parks. However, Kings Canyon is a little different, yes it’s got paths and trails that only experienced hikers should attempt, but there’s also the shorter trek to Lookout Peak. The peak not only gives you panoramic views out over the whole eastern California region but also let you witness the gigantic U-shaped chasm that was carved by a massive glacier millions of years ago. You’ll also have the rare chance to trek through the breathtaking

Sequoia National Forest, and see the giants that visitsequoia.com describe as being some of the tallest, oldest trees on earth!

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Believe it or not, the scenery here is even more beautiful than the lyrics of ‘Country Roads’ might suggest. Don’t forget to look out for Stony Man, so named thanks to its high boulders and gigantic rock cliffs, it’s not the highest peak, but it still ranks at 4,011 feet above sea level. While some hikers prefer higher Hawksbill even the locals think that Stony Man offers better views. Including some gorgeous sights over the endless Appalachian Mountains, that stretch towards the horizon in a seemingly never-ending gray/green line! The hike to Stony Man is suitable for all levels of hiker and is a mere 2.5 miles away from the entrance of the Shenandoah National Park itself. However, you may be looking for something with a lot more oomph! Feel like you’re ready to take on a Grand Canyon hike? Now’s the time to visit sedonaredrocktreks.com as they’ll be able to create you a bespoke package, as well as give you an extra day’s grace in case of bad weather that keeps you from trekking.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

It’s best to only attempt this particular hike in summer as the rest of the year the trail is often hidden between a heavy blanket of thick, impassable snow. However, when the temperatures do warm up in July, the area is transformed into a wild meadow, subalpine flowers dance merrily in the breeze and tourists and locals alike come to experience the joys of Avalanche Peak! Warning, if you’re looking to complete your hike solo or don’t wish to be disturbed by endless chattering queues at viewpoints get up early. Here, the path takes you through 2.5 miles of subalpine forest, lush conifer trees and acres of firs and spruce. Why not check out the route at http://www.summitpost.org to see when you’ll be able to take a break at the beautiful Yellowstone Lake as well as having the chance to spot elk or deer.

Are You Ready For The Rio Olympics?

If you're one of the many people who have been eager to visit Rio de Janeiro, not only because it is a great place to visit but because you are rooting for your team in the Olympic then I am sure you have already arranged for your travel plans many moons ago and is just waiting for the time to pack your bags and go. However, if you're still stuck in making plans, don't lose hope. It's not yet too late. You can still book yourself a nice and decent accommodation and airfare and still cheer for your team.

Don't be late in planning your Rio Olympics travel though. Every minute counts as we near the opening of the Rio Olympics in August.

Here are some tips to help you get by with your travel plans:

Photo credit: australia.etbtravelnews.com

Accommodation

It's not too late. A lot of hotels and other accommodations are still providing future Olympic spectators rooms in their properties for a good rate. You can still snag good deals online, whether it's in Airbnb, Booking.com, Trivago, Hotels.com, Agoda.com and many more.


Airfare

Just like the accommodations, there are many options to enter Brazil for the Rio Olympics this August. If you're one of those nationalities allowed to enter the country without any visas, then you're all set, just book the flight, pay and go. However, if you belong to those who need visa, then ensure this is covered before you get your flights done.

You can check cheap airfares and make comparisons and also their availabilities by checking these sites: cheapflights.com, kayak.com, expedia.com, and the respective airline's online site.

If you've made your plans, secured your visas (for those who require) and accommodations, then you can get the non-refundable rate which is usually cheaper than the flexible dates fare. The lesser the restrictions on airfares, the slightly expensive they get.


Visas

Visa is a form of a legal pass to be able enter in a particular country People who need visa to enter a country must apply before travelling.

Most citizens of developing countries require visa to enter Brazil. You can visit their travel and immigration site to know more about their visa requirement - http://brazilimmigration.com.


Money

Travelling involves spending and you should have enough to support your day-to-day in Rio whilst enjoying the Olympics and possibly adding a tour on the side on your free days.  Brazil is not a very expensive country; however, prices may vary during the Olympic period as many people all over the world will be in Rio. Many business may capitalise on that but still, comparing to Europe, Brazil is fairly an affordable country to visit.

Photo: taken from yahoo, this is today's conversion

Safety

Brazil is a very big country. And as most countries, there are petty crimes here and there, and with the Olympics on, there are other people from other parts of the world who will also be in Brazil to enjoy the Olympics. Practise caution and common sense as you would in a regular basis. Do not wear fancy stuff that may attract attention. Avoid going home alone to your accommodation and stay clear from rowdy crowds. Avoid going alone on unfamiliar territories and venturing to the "favelas" (slum areas). Do not carry too many cash and do not use very expensive bags. Conceal your mobile phones and high-end cameras. Also, try to be back to your accommodation by night fall.


You still have time to get all your travel plans sorted before the big sporting event. Once you are done, pack your bag, take the flight, reach your destination, relax, and enjoy the whole show!

Stay Safe During Your Travels

Source: Wikimedia

As you’ve probably figured by now, I think travelling is one of the greatest experiences anyone can have. While most of the world isn’t especially dangerous, running into serious trouble while abroad can be horrible. If you don’t speak the local language, or have much orientation, then recovering from theft or other misfortunes can be extremely tough. Most of us are lucky enough to avoid this. However, it’s always good to keep certain precautions in mind.

Source: Wikimedia

Be sure to prepare for any illness or injury while you’re abroad. This is one of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my travels. No matter how bad you are with needles, get all the recommended vaccinations for the country you’re visiting. Be sure to get all the right health insurance too. If you’re visiting anywhere in the European Economic Area, then you’ll need a European Health Insurance card. You can order these through Europe EHIC Services Ltd. Aside from this, do some research on common illnesses that might be prevalent in the country you’re going to. Western tourists are famous in India for getting nasty bugs, so stock up on the proper antibiotics!

If you’ve travelled enough, you’ll get into the habit of certain checks. However, if you’re new to the whole experience, make a point of glancing back whenever you’re leaving somewhere. You might not be the type to carelessly leave our things lying around anyway, but travelling can be very distracting. If you’re not used to being out of your home country, then be particularly careful. It’s easy to forget certain things while you’re soaking up a culture that’s completely new to you. I’ve heard countless stories about people leaving a bag with all their documentation and money outside pavement cafes. This can cast a heavy gloom over your entire trip, so stay vigilant!

Finally, avoid being flash in impoverished countries. Some of the poorest economies are situated in some of the most beautiful areas of the world. Being a western tourist is usually bad enough in particularly run-down areas. To reduce your risk of theft, keep your wealth on the down low. Leave your diamond jewellery at home or in your hotel room, and avoid carrying around expensive pieces of tech. Across the world, most muggers are more interested in what you’re carrying than hurting you. Still, if you attract the wrong criminal, your trip could end up being nightmarish. Don’t carry too much cash on you, and wear nondescript clothes if you can bear it. It may also be worth buying a cheap phone for use on your holiday.

I hope I haven’t scared you off of your upcoming adventure! Yes, there are risks involved in any kind of travel. By taking these simple precautions, you’ll be upping your chances of having a smooth, trouble-free trip. Wherever you’re going, don’t let paranoia ruin your experience. Illness or being a victim of theft may be more likely in certain places. Still, it’s bound to be pretty improbable! Be careful and health-conscious, but most importantly enjoy the trip.