Surge in ticket sales for European ferries after Brexit delay

‘The bow doors have opened’ as Dover to Calais bookings rise by more than 55%

Ferry services to Europe have reported a ticket sales rise of more than 50% as holidaymakers book summer breaks after Brexit was delayed.

Holidaymakers had been warned of potential difficulties travelling to the continent, especially by car and ferry, in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The decision to put Britain’s date of departure from the European Union back from 29 March to at least the end of May, and possibly 31 October, has unleashed a wave of ticket sales.

Bookings on the Dover-Calais route have increased 55% on last year over the past seven days. Overall, there has been a 52% uplift in ticket sales across the 13 ferry routes between the UK and other European countries.

Direct Ferries, which sells tickets across Channel ferry routes and operators, said there had been triple-digit percentage growth in bookings on some longer channel crossings, such as those linking the south of England with Brittany and Spain.

“It’s been clear that customers have been holding back at the beginning of the year and the formal confirmation of the delay has opened the bow doors,” said Niall Walsh of Direct Ferries. “It’s evident that Brexit concerns and uncertainty have weighed on holidaymakers’ decisions. Now that the deadline has been put back, families have begun to plan and book in earnest.”

In the week before the extension, bookings on some channel routes fell 20% year on year. Walsh said that in early 2019 there had been a significant rise in the number of short visits, believed to be panic shopping trips ahead of the original Brexit date of 29 March. Wine warehouses in Calais reported huge increases in shopper numbers and sales in the two months prior to the original deadline.

The route to Dover had been the focus of no-deal fears, with Highways England having been expected to turn much of the M20 approaching Channel ports into a holding pen for queueing lorries.

The Operation Brock emergency works were lifted last week, although a long steel barrier that was installed remains in place in case of future need. The government had warned drivers to pack spare food, fuel and water in the event of a disorderly Brexit, with delays anticipated due to new customs requirements.

Climate concerns don’t halt travel

Millions of Norwegians are officially off for Norway’s long five-day Easter holiday weekend that began on Thursday, with more than half of them out travelling within the country or heading abroad. There’s little sign they’re sacrificing holiday travel out of concern for the climate or the carbon emissions that flying and driving can generate.

Norwegian Air’s carbon emissions rose 51 percent between 2013 and 2018, largely because of its route expansion. The airline itself claims that emissions per passenger-kilometer have declined 30 percent since 2008 because of more fuel-efficient aircraft. PHOTO: Norwegian Air

Oslo’s main airport at Gardermoen reported more huge numbers of people passing through last weekend, as many seized the opportunity to get 10 days off in a row for the price of just three vacation days from work (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday). A new survey conducted by research firm Kantar/TNS for the national tourism employers’ organization NHO Reiseliv shows that nearly 20 percent of those out traveling flew to other countries in Europe or beyond.

Others hit the road, loading up the car and driving to mountain cabins for spring skiing, opening up holiday homes along the coast, or visiting family and friends. Fully 78 percent of those reporting that they’d leave home during the Easter holidays planned to travel to another location in Norway.

“The vast majority of Norwegians still view Easter holidays within Norway as their top choice,” Kristin Krohn Devold, a former defense minister who now heads NHO Reiseliv, told news bureau NTB.

‘The new coal’
With 55 percent of those questioned replying that they’d leave home during Easter, the travel bug continues to bite, and that worries climate activists. Oslo newspaper Dagsavisen recently reported how another new study shows that an airline now ranks as one of the 10 largest sources of carbon emissions in Europe.

The dubious distinction went to Ryanair, according to the study conducted by the organization Transport & Environment (T&E). Norway’s chapter of Friends of the Earth, Naturvernforbundet, is among the members of T&E and was sounding alarms before the Easter holidays even began.

“When it comes to the climate, Ryanair is the new coal,” claimed Andrew Murphy, aviation chief at T&E. The organization used EU data showing emissions development for around 14,000 companies in various sectors. The nine biggest generators of carbon emissions were coal-driven power plants, topped by Belchatow of Poland, which released 38 million tons of carbon last year. The 10th spot on the list was Ryanair, whose flights around Europe released 9.9 million tons of CO2 in 2018.

Route expansion to blame
Norway’s two biggest airlines, Norwegian Air and SAS, released far less, at 2.8 million- and 2.5 million tons respectively, “but that’s more than what all the diesel vehicles in Norway released in 2017,” Holger Schlaupitz of Naturvernforbund told Dagsavisen. Norwegian’s carbon emissions growth from 2013 to 2018 hit 51 percent, much higher than SAS’ 6 percent and reflecting Norwegian’s major route expansion. Ryanair’s growth was 49 percent, while carbon emissions for airlines flying within Europe rose 26 percent on average.

While carbons emissions are falling in most other sectors including coal, they’re rising within the aviation sector because of the strong growth in airline traffic. Schlaupitz notes that Norwegians have contributed to that growth with 52 million passengers passing through state airport agency Avinor’s airports last year. That’s more than double the number in 1993.

“It’s clear that it’s too cheap for airline traffic to pollute, and that the prices for jet fuel are relatively low,” Schlaupitz claimed. He has no faith that either more fuel-efficient aircraft, electric aircraft or more use of biofuels will cut emissions from airline traffic, as long as it continues to grow.

Political approval for more airline traffic growth
All indications are that it will. Avinor actively seeks new airline routes from its airports and offers incentives to the airlines to get them. Avinor also remains keen to build a third runway at OSL Gardermoen. A majority in Parliament (formed by the government parties and the Labour Party) voted down a measure proposed by other more-climate-oriented parties in opposition to block it.

The airlines, meanwhile, defend their emissions growth by contending that their aircraft have reduced emissions per passenger-kilometer. Norwegian Air claims its emissions per passenger-kilometer have declined by 30 percent since 2008 because of major investment in new, more emissions-friendly aircraft.

“Last year Norwegian paid more than NOK 1.3 billion in so-called ‘environmental fees’ to the EU’s quota system, CO2 taxes on domestic routes and the airline seat tax in Norway and Sweden,” Norwegian Air spokesman Lasse Sandaker-Nielsen told Dagsavisen. He added that Norwegian Air continues to call for a CO2 fund that could be used to promote environmental goals.

Wine Country: Exploring the Okanagan’s Golden Mile

The birds know it’s morning before you do. A single sweet note breaks the velvety silence and is quickly joined by a chorus of birdsong. Grape leaves rustle as some small creature wanders through the vineyard in search of breakfast. The inky darkness lightens to smoky grey and then brightens to gold as sunlight spills molten over the bluffs across the valley.

It’s another perfect day in wine country. And there are few places better to greet it than right here on the Golden Mile Bench.

Watching the sun rise from the guest villas at Hester Creek Estate Winery. JOANNE SASVARI

The bench is a steep, sandy, gravelly, loamy slope just south of Oliver, pop. 5,000, the little town known as the Wine Capital of Canada. It’s British Columbia’s first sub-geographical indication, a unique place within wine country that just happens to be the perfect spot to grow lush Chardonnay and elegant Merlot. Some of B.C.’s greatest producers can be found here doing just that, among them Culmina Family Estate Winery, CheckMate Artisanal Winery, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Fairview Cellars, Road 13 Vineyards and Hester Creek Estate Winery.

Days move lazily here, broken by delicious moments. Hop in the car—or on your bike, though it’s easier to load cases of wine in your car—and meander along the numbered country roads that lead to Black Sage Road across the valley, where wineries produce peppery Syrahs and voluptuous Viognier. Head north, past the massive boulder known as McIntyre Bluff, and you’ll bump into Penticton’s twin sandy beaches. Head south, and you’ll find yourself in the desert surrounding Osoyoos and, just a few metres further, the U.S. border. But here, between the Golden Mile and Black Sage benches, it’s all rolling hills striped with vineyards, and hidden in their folds, people who want to give you lovely things to eat and drink.

You’ll need a central location to start from, a home base. A guest house like the Tuscan-style ones at Hester Creek Estate Winery will do quite nicely. They have kitchenettes, comfy furniture and, perched as they are high above the winery, patios with sweeping views across vineyards and valley. You can make yourself right at home without having to worry about pesky details like bringing in the harvest.

Hester Creek winemaker Rob Summers with a handful of grapes. JOANNE SASVARI

The winery itself is historic in this valley. Fifty years ago, back when everyone else in the Okanagan was still planting hybrid varieties like Vidal and Marechal Foch, an Italian immigrant named Joe Busnardo planted the first vitis vinifera here, including the Trebbiano vines that still produce a bright, crisp white wine each spring. The wines he made from these noble grapes were, by all accounts, terrible, but he proved that they would thrive here.

In the 1980s, Busnardo opened Divino Estate Winery on the site, and when he sold it in 1996, the new owners named it for the creek that runs along the south side of the property. In 2004, Prince George businessman Curt Garland bought the winery and hired Rob Summers, a veteran winemaker from Niagara, to produce its wines, which, please note, are no longer terrible. Far from it. The Cabernet Franc is elegant yet approachable, all black fruit and violets, and the Bordeaux blend known as The Judge is a powerful combination of juicy fruit and supple tannins.

Grab a bottle (or two) from the wine shop and some cheese and charcuterie from Oliver Eats, the new gourmet deli from local chef Derek Uhlemann. Or pick up some authentic tacos al pastor from El Sabor De Marina, the turquoise-blue Mexican food stand just outside town, if you can wait till you get home to dive into their savoury depths. Or, if you’re feeling adventuresome, head out to one of the great restaurants in the neighbourhood, which, happily, are all located at wineries: Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, The Sonora Room at Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, Masala Bistro at Kismet Estate Winery, or Terrafina right here, just down the hill at Hester Creek.

Chef Bernard Casavant of RauDZ Creative Concepts serves an al fresco lunch on the patio at Terrafina Restaurant.JOANNE SASVARI

About a year ago, chef Rod Butters’ RauDZ Creative Concepts took over the Tuscan-themed restaurant, and while chef de cuisine James Hanna still takes inspiration from the Mediterranean, Terrafina’s new menu is proudly local and seasonal. It abounds in pastas, risottos and pizzas made with fresh local produce. Though truth be told, you could simply order the fully customizable boards that come loaded with marinated veg, cured meats and cheeses and be perfectly happy sipping wine at a patio table and watching the glow from the setting sun dance across the vines.

From Terrafina, it’s just a short stroll under the stars back to your guest villa. The night falls gently here, cool and fragrant, cattle lowing softly in the hills, birds trilling goodnight. Rest well in your suite, happy in the knowledge that tomorrow you can do it all again.

If you go

Getting there:

Both Air Canada and WestJet fly into Penticton airport. From there, it’s a 40-minute drive south to Oliver. However, if you plan to bring back wine, you might prefer the scenic five-hour drive from Vancouver along Highway 3.

While you’re in the south Okanagan, the hop-on, hop-off OK Wine Shuttle is a safe way to get to most of the wineries.

Staying there:

The new Coast Oliver Hotel is central, convenient and pet-and child-friendly.

For a more luxurious stay, head to the Tuscan-style Hester Creek Estate Winery Guest Villas—six well-appointed suites with a gourmet breakfast included—but be sure to book well in advance, especially during peak season.

Also check out:

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Guest House; Kismet Estate Winery B&B or Silver Sage Winery B&B Luxury Suites.

Dining there:

Visit the local winery restaurants: Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, The Sonora Room at Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, Masala Bistro at Kismet Estate Winery, and Terrafina at Hester Creek Estate Winery.

Egypt is the biggest hot spot for elite travelers in 2019. Here’s what it’s like to visit as a billionaire, from luxury resorts on the Red Sea to sold-out cruises down the Nile

egypt beach

Egypt is the hottest destination billionaires are traveling to this year, according to boutique luxury travel agency Original Travel, which plans trips for high-net-worth individuals.

The country came in first in Original Travel’s ranking of top destinations where billionaires are headed in 2019, which it determined by looking at the number of bookings and performance; the latter was assessed by a combination of feedback and client inquiries. Their 2019 bookings for Egypt are set to triple last year’s bookings, Amelia Stewart, brand ambassador for Original Travel, told Business Insider.

You don’t have to look far to see Egypt’s appeal: It has a rich Pharaonic history and plenty of iconic landmarks, not to mention Greek, Roman, and Islamic influences to explore.

Like most travelers, billionaires visit Egypt to soak up its sights and history – but they do so while taking advantage of Egypt’s plentiful luxury offerings, from fine dining restaurants in Cairo to beach resorts along the coast of the Red Sea.

Below, see what’s propelling billionaires to visit Egypt – and what they’re doing when they get there. Prices indicated for hotels are representative of rates booked two months in advance.

30 Photos From New Zealand That Will Turn You Into an Outdoor Person

If you’ve ever met me in person, you will know that I am the biggest fan of New Zealand. I can honestly say that my fascination with this country somewhat borders with an obsession. There, I said it. So far I’ve spent over 15 months in New Zealand and I already know that it’s not enough.

Being amongst some of the most beautiful landscapes in this world has opened my eyes and made me finally realise what I want to do with my life. I want to convince people to do the same.

Each time I leave the country, I still feel like there’s so much I haven’t seen, so many more hikes I would love to do and locations I want to photograph.

If you are looking for advice on planning your once in a lifetime trip to New Zealand visit my New Zealand Travel Guide, where you will find custom road trip itineraries, information about photography locations and hiking trails.

ARE YOU READY TO GET INSPIRED BY NEW ZEALAND’S NATURE?

Biking down Mount Bourke near Wanaka, New Zealand

Breathtaking landscapes in Arthur's Pass National Park, New Zealand

Taranaki volcano on the Pouakai circuit on the north island of New Zealand

Redwood Forest, Rotorua, New Zealand — Redwood Forest, Rotorua

An afternoon stroll around lake Hawea, New Zealand

Coromandel Peak, Wanaka, New Zealand — Coromandel Peak, Wanaka

Mountain reflections in lake Hawea, New Zealand

Majestic mountains around lake Hawea, New Zealand

Waterfall in Taranaki/Mt Egmont National Park, New Zealand

Morning hike on Roy's Peak, Wanaka, New Zealand

Isthmus Peak hike, New Zealand — Isthmus Peak near Wanaka

Hiking near Wanaka with Mount Aspiring as the backdrop, New Zealand

Sunrise from Coromandel Peak, lake Wanaka

Lone Willow tree, Wanaka, New Zealand

Mount Robert ridgeline, Nelson Lakes NP, New Zealand

Sunset at the Hooker glacier lake in Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand

Hiking in the Hooker valley, New Zealand

Goblin Forest, Mt Egmont NP, New Zealand

Looking towards Walter's Peak in Queenstown, New Zealand

The Future of Travel Increasingly Is Likely To Be Chinese

AUSTRALIA-NATURE-TOURISM-SHARK

If you buy into the popular theory that “Demographics are Destiny” (not everyone does) you probably should begin learning Chinese. Korean would be good to learn, too, especially if you expect to work in the future in the travel or hospitality industries.

That’s because Chinese consumers collectively spent nearly $258 billion on international travel last year. That’s more than twice the combined amount spent on international travel by people from the United States and Germany, the next two biggest-spending nations, combined. And the Chinese are relative newcomers when it comes to venturing beyond their nation’s borders. A smallish percentage of them travel outside of China each year, though given the size of that nation’s population even that small percentage represents well over 100 million Chinese travelers to foreign destinations.

Yet Chinese citizens flew, on average, just 65 miles last year vs. the 227 miles flown on average by U.S. residents, the 285 miles flown on average by Germans, the 271 miles flown on average by those from the United Kingdom, and the whopping 632 miles flown by the average Canadian last year.

That’s according to a recent report issued by GetGoing Travel Insurance.

What China’s high total spending on international travel and its low average number of miles flown on international travel tells us is that while only a relatively small percentage of China’s residents actually do travel outside their homeland, those who do spend a lot of money and don’t tend to go all that far. China is home to approximately 1.4 billion people, making it the most populous nation on Earth. But the low average of miles travel on international trips is the function of two factors:

· A relatively small percentage of Chinese now have the financial ability to travel internationally, though the numbers who do travel outside of China are growing rapidly every year.

· A relatively large percentage of Chinese travelers beyond their nation’s borders stay relatively close to home. In fact, a big share of them go to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. They go there either to visit friends and relatives who live in those places or to gamble in the casinos and or enjoy the entertainment venues in Macau and Hong Kong. Hong Kong attracted 44.5 million Chinese visitors, Macau 17.2 million and Taiwan 10.7 million.

Those numbers imply strongly that as more and more Chinese attain middle class status and the financial ability to travel internationally, and as Chinese become more and more interested in traveling visiting destinations farther and farther away from home their spending on international travel and the average distances flown will both rise exponentially.

Americans last year collectively spent about $135 billion on foreign travel according to the GetGoing report, for second place on the top 10 list of foreign travel spending. Germany ranked third at $89.1 billion. The rest of the top 10 include: the United Kingdom ($171.4 billion); France ($41.4 billion); Canada ($31.8 billion); South Korea ($30.6 billion); Italy ($27.7 billion); Australia $34.2 billion; and Russia ($31.1 billion).

Like China, South Korean’s average number of miles flown internationally is noticeably low. Right now that’s mostly because South Koreans’ most common foreign destinations are Japan, China, Thailand and the U.S. But as more South Koreans are able to afford international travel – as expected, given the strength of that nation’s economy – and as they become open to venturing further away from home and to less obvious destinations, they too, like the Chinese are likely to see a large increase in combined foreign travel spending and international miles flown.

Punta Cana Resort Delivers Luxury At 114 Swim-up Suites

The Luxury Bahia Principe Ambar in Punta Cana has 114 swim-up suites.

When luxury is part of a hotel name, it’s natural to wonder if the reality can live up to the hype.

With the addition of 114 swim-up suites at the adults-only Luxury Bahia Principe Ambar in the Dominican Republic, the name matches the reality.

The swim-up suites offer luxury indeed with comfort and style inside–king-sized beds, large bathrooms and spacious sitting areas—and a pool just steps outside sliding-glass doors.

The Pinero Group recently celebrated the re-opening of the five-star, 528-room Punta Cana hotel after a $26 million renovation that also included updates to existing restaurants.

“We trust that our strategic approach to restoring our hotels and their amenities will help us surpass guest expectations in a hospitality landscape that is more competitive than ever,” said Encarna Pinero, CEO of Grupo Pinero, which operates 14 hotels in the Dominican Republic. “Today’s travelers look for more than pristine beaches and stunning views.”

For water lovers especially, there’s nothing more luxurious than being able to walk out the door of your suite to take a quick dip after a late night out or an early-morning swim before your day begins. Each suite is connected to a long narrow pool that runs the length of the building. Outside each suite’s door is a small patio and steps down into the pool. The patios are separate, divided for privacy.

33 Best Trips And Tips For Solo Female Travel

Solo female travel is on the rise. Here, Nneya Richards, founder of the blog, âN A Perfect World, explores Paris.

Solo female travel just keeps getting hotter. According to the George Washington University School of Business, nearly two-thirds of today’s travelers are women. The Travel Industry Association reports that an estimated 32 million American women travel alone every year. And travel companies are seeing a big uptick in interest from solo female travelers. Hostelworld, the largest online hostel-booking platform, has seen a growth in female solo bookings of 45% between 2015 and 2017.

So how are women making the most of solo travel and where are they going? I tapped into some accomplished travelers to get their top tips for traveling solo — and the best places to travel as a woman alone. Here’s what they had to say.

Nikki Misurelli, the woman who has ridden a motorcycle around the globe.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NIKKI MISURELLI

Keep an Open Mind: It might be easy to go to the tourist areas where everyone speaks English and can accommodate you, but take the extra challenge to step out of your comfort zone and try the path less traveled . It has its risks, as does anything in life, but it’s a great way to experience a culture or region. It’s fascinating to see how people live their daily lives in a regular non-touristy community. Eat like the locals, sleep like the locals, participate in activities like the locals. A smile (and Google Translate) can go a long way, even if you don’t speak the same language.

Be Adventurous But Prepared: I got really (really) sick while traveling and it was terrifying. When I got home, I looked into a medical transport membership program called Medjet that the guys in my bike shop recommended. It’s super affordable, and when I found out they had a membership that also offered security response, I picked that one — MedjetHorizon. I feel a little more safe while being adventurous knowing they have my back (24/7 crisis response) and it makes my mom and grandma so happy that if something bad happened to me, they’d have someone to call.

Write in a Journal! When we travel, we think we will remember all the details, but in actuality so many new things are happening so quickly every day, and eventually the details will fade away. Even just taking five minutes a day to write down any major events or key memories will help to remind you of so much that you may forget over the years. I personally love going back and reading my travel journals. Photos are also a great way to capture the moments, but we have to be careful not to get completely obsessed over only taking photos and not actually taking in and living in the moment.

Nikki Misurelli in Morocco.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NIKKI MISURELLI

Where to Go: Morocco was one of my favorite places to visit as a solo female traveler. It was a unique and culturally different experience, but I felt extremely safe and welcomed everywhere I went. The people were all very nice and helpful in all situations and everyone made sure I was happy, safe and enjoying my travels. One time I even ran out of gas and got stranded overnight in a small non-touristy town. No one could speak English, there were no hotels for hours, I didn’t have any Moroccan cash, only Euros (which no one could accept) and no gas stations or currency exchange offices were open. I sat down at a small local cafe late at night and paid for a meal with the last of the change in my pocket. Some friendly local residents sat down with me, gave me a free hot tea and we managed to communicate with Google Translate. When they heard of my adventures and struggles, they immediately welcomed me to their family’s home and gave me a warm blanket on the floor (the same way they sleep), more food and a locked place to park my motorcycle. Once I was able to get my currency exchanged, I tried to give this family money and buy them food, but they absolutely would not accept. I was shown the most beautiful compassion and kindness. This family (along with many others) will always hold a special place in my heart and memories.

Kelly Lewis, founder of Go Girl Guides, the Women’s Travel Fest and Damesly.

Who: Kelly Lewis, founder of Go Girl Guides, the Women’s Travel Fest and Damesly. Read her tips on affordable travel: “The 33 Cheapest Places To Travel In 2018.”

Talk! Talk to everyone, everyone, everyone. The more people who are familiar with you and who recognize you, the better. So, I talk to everyone in my hotel, everyone in my hostel, everyone on the bus next to me. For me, it’s about staying safe, and the best way to do that is to connect with other people who are looking out for you.

Don’t Overshare: I’m very aware of what kind of information I’m sharing. On social media, I do share where I am, but I don’t share specifics. So, I don’t do Foursquare, I don’t check in to like specific areas, but I’ll definitely say, “Here I am in Bangkok! If you’re here in Bangkok, let’s meet up.”

Where to Go: My favorite place for solo female travel is New Zealand (probably not surprising!). It’s the first country I ever went to, the first country I lived as an expat and it’s so naturally stunning that I still compare everywhere else in the world to the things I saw there. I’d have to say Argentina and Uruguay are a close second and third.

Nneya Richards, founder of the blog, ‘N A Perfect World.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NNEYA RICHARDS

Who: Nneya Richards, founder of the blog, ‘N A Perfect World, fashion stylist and travel blogger who has written for publications like Vogue and Pop Sugar

Go Shopping: Support women businesses , even if it’s a store. This is a great tip that I learned when I was in Mexico (where I go surfing every winter). I met one of my closest girlfriends in a jewelry store. I was just looking at jewelry and she was working at the store there. Flash forward: We’re really close friends.

Smile: You’d be surprised like how much a smile leads people to you, and people want show you the best of their countries, their cities and if you take their suggestions, they’re really happy to help and to show you around.

Where to Go: As a solo female traveler of color, there’s a lot of navigation through spaces that have seen “tourism” primarily from white men. Comfort and safety are factors that we have to take into account as we explore other locales and cultures. One of the most magical experiences I’ve had as a solo female traveler — and the place that really gave me the confidence to travel solo even more — is Sayulita, Mexico. It is one of my favorite places in the world and I first went there solo when American papers were reporting the dangers of traveling to Mexico due to drug wars. This beach town — the people, sand, surf and sun — welcomed me with open arms and soon my New York apprehensions started to fade away. A big expat community, Sayulita is still a small town with small town vibes. Within days, locals knew who I was and I was welcomed into their community with them looking out for me, opening their hearts and their homes. The Riviera Nayarit is a magical place I’d recommend for any solo female traveler.

Mickela Mallozzi — the producer and star of the travel series, Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi — learns Highland Dance with the Patterson Dancing School in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Who: Mickela Mallozzi, producer and star of Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi. Read about her in “How This Unlikely TV Star Created A Simple Idea That Allows Her To Travel The World.”

Dance: I like talking with people, hearing about what is important to them, what type of music they listen to and of course, I love to dance with people. Dancing is what brings me the most joy, but I also use it to get out of my comfort zone because most of the time I don’t know what I’m doing (I’m following someone else’s dance moves). I’ve learned not to care what I look like when I’m learning a new dance, and that has helped me tremendously.

Where to Go: I recently got back from Georgia (the country, not the state), and not only is it filled with breathtaking landscapes, delicious food and exuberant and beautiful music and dance traditions, but the Georgian hospitality is centuries old and embedded in the culture and the people. It’s an incredibly safe, open and forward-thinking country – its people are beyond warm. I was initiated as a “da” or a sister to one of my new, Georgian friends, Mako, when I arrived. Friendship there is sacred, shared over the 8,000 year-old tradition of wine, and those friendships are expected to last a lifetime. From Tbilisi’s hipster scene to Kazbegi’s panoramic mountain views, you will find lifetime friends in the Caucuses.

Alyssa Ramos, founder of mylifesamovie.com, atop Mount Kilimanjaro.

Who: Alyssa Ramos, full-time travel blogger, social media influencer and founder of My Life’s a Movie. Read about her: “How This Woman Went From Broke To Traveling Full-Time (And Making Lots Of Money).”

Have Confidence: My top tip for a woman traveling solo is to always walk around with confidence, research the area before you go, be respectful of the culture and always be aware of your surroundings.

Where to Go: The Riviera Maya of Mexico is especially great for first time solo female travel trips, because it’s not a big jump to another continent (for U.S. citizens), you can use U.S. dollar, people speak English (yes, in Mexico they speak English as well as Spanish), there are tons of expats and visitors and also tons of adventures and sites to see all in one place, including one of the New Seven World Wonders, Chichen Itza. I know Mexico gets a negative stereotype sometimes, but in all honesty, if I were to ever live somewhere, Playa del Carmen or Tulum would be my first picks. That’s how much I love being there.

Shinjuku Crossing in Tokyo.

SHINJUKU CROSSING IN TOKYO

Where to Go: Japan — specifically Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka — tops my list for solo female travel because of how safe and respectful the culture is there. Despite thinking I’d stick out and get stared at with my blonde hair and blue eyes, I found that rarely anyone did, and I was only ever approached when people noticed I looked lost (typical when attempting the rail system there), and they helped me find my way!

Author Lavinia Spalding.

Who: Lavinia Spalding, author of Writing Away: a Creative Guide to Awakening the Journal-Writing Traveler, and the editor of The Best Women’s Travel Writing series. Watch her TED Talk on pursuing a career in travel: “9 TED Talks That Will Inspire You To Quit Your Job And Travel For A Career.”

Give Yourself an Assignment: Solo travel is exciting and illuminating, but it can also get lonely sometimes. My top tip is to give yourself an assignment while traveling. It could be as simple as tracking down the tastiest momos in Nepal or seeing the best flamenco show in Spain. Or it could be a deeper mission, like enrolling in a course or doing meaningful volunteer work. Having a personal mission lends more purpose to your travels and increases your chances of meeting interesting locals and travelers, which helps you feel more connected and fulfilled. And my other top tip—of course—is to journal about it.

Where to Go: As for where to go, the possibilities are endless. But I might suggest Portugal or Sicily — if only because those two places had some of the best gelato I’ve ever eaten, and when you’re traveling solo, gelato can be really important.

Budget travel expert Pauline Frommer, ziplining in Whistler.

Who: Pauline Frommer, co-President of the Frommer’s guidebooks and Frommers.com. Read her budget tips in “10 Smart Ways To Save Money On Your Next Trip.”

Buy Something: The best solo women travel tip I ever heard was from Evelyn Hannon who runs JourneyWoman.com. She said the first thing you do in a new destination is you go into a local store (like a drugstore or market) and you just buy something small so you can have the bag, and that bag marks you as a local.

Tap Into Other Women: There’s an organization called Women Welcome Women, it’s out of Britain but it’s in every country in the world. It’s basically a directory service of women who just love to help and meet other women. It’s a nice way to have a safety net and yet still travel alone.

Where to Go: Paris is my favorite spot for solo female travel. No matter what age you are, when you’re there, you aren’t invisible, as you can become in other destinations.

Marcia DeSanctis overlooking Machu Picchu in Peru.

Who: Marcia DeSanctis, author of The New York Times Best Seller, 100 places in France Every Woman Should Go

Just Do It: My top tip for a woman traveling solo is to travel solo. It is to not be afraid. It is that to understand the best way to make your connection with a place and with a new environment and in a new context is not to have to worry about somebody else. It is to be by yourself. You really notice things better when you’re alone.

Where to Go: Among my favorite places to visit alone is St. Petersburg, Russia, one of the great walking cities in the world. I can race through the Hermitage to have a look at a single painting (maybe Titian’s Danae) or take my sweet time. I’ll wander over bridges, along canals, past the white and gold buildings along the Moika and Neva Rivers. The city is dazzling and its watery beauty makes me feel contemplative, especially a stop in the Summer Garden or St. Isaac’s Square, looking up at the great cathedral’s dome.

Erica Virvo, director of global operations at Nomadic Matt, at Vagabond Temple in Kep, Cambodia.

Who: Erica Virvo, director of global operations at Nomadic Matt and budget travel lover who has been exploring the world for 10 years

Stay in Hostels: My top trip for traveling solo as a woman is stay in hostels. I love staying in hostels as a woman because you get to meet people — and you can meet people that you can then travel with. When you’re traveling with other people, it’s harder to do that.

Where to Go: Vagabond Temple in Kep, Cambodia is worth recommending for solo female travelers. This yoga and meditation retreat is a space of rejuvenation in a region where so many travelers go in search of something. It’s a great place to stop, rest, and collect yourself before you continue to wander through Southeast Asia (even if you’re new to yoga or meditation). It’s not restricted to female travelers, but mostly women come here. It’s one of those places that you book for a few days, and end up staying for a month accidentally. I highly recommend it for anyone making their way down the Banana-Pancake Trail.

Juliana Broste, founder of TravelingJules.com, snowboarding in Colorado.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIANA BROSTE

Put Down Your Phone: When you’re eating alone, put that phone away and open your eyes, maybe there’s something exciting to see or someone exciting to meet. I love traveling solo because you have the opportunity to meet people. When you’re with somebody, people won’t approach you. But when you’re alone, say you’re at the bar, people will come up and chat with you, and you have nothing to do but to make a new friend.

Where to Go: My favorite spot for solo female travel is to go to a ski town. Embrace the feeling of freedom as you feel the wind in your hair while skiing or snowboarding down the mountain, and make friends on the chairlift riding back up in the singles line.

Who: Gillian Morris, founder and CEO of Hitlist, an app that helps you travel more for less. Read Morris’s packing tips: “Confessions Of A Packing Expert: 9 Business Travel Hacks.”

Use Tinder: This is a kind of edgy one, but I have a friend at Google who did a study of the top apps that people use while traveling, and surprisingly one of the top ones for meeting locals is Tinder. I’ve gone on Tinder, even when I’m dating someone, and said very clearly in my profile, “I’m just here to meet someone to go out on the town or explore with a local.” And I’ve always been very clear in the communication. It’s a really great way to meet people, and I think if you’re straight-forward, you’re not doing anything wrong and it can be a really wonderful experience.

Where to Go: My favorite spot for solo female travel is Turkey. Muslim hospitality ensures that you will be invited to many homes, and an extensive tourist infrastructure means that it’s easy to get wherever you need to go by bus, plane, train or ride share. The Airbnb hosts in off-the-beaten-track destinations in Turkey are some of the best I’ve ever been lucky enough to stay with and there are so many wonders — from the natural beauty of the coast to the historical riches of Capadoccia — to explore.

Connection enthusiast Tami Fairweather in Wadi Rum.

Who: Tami Fairweather, marketing communicator, consultant, connection enthusiast and event media manager for the Adventure Travel Trade Association

Don’t Sleep In! One of the tips I usually give my friends is: Those days when you really don’t want to get up early because you’re tired, don’t sleep in. Because you don’t remember how tired you were during a trip, you remember what you did. If you were feeling lazy, or even a little under the weather, that’s not what you’re going to remember. You’re going to be thankful that you got up early and saw that church, went on that hike to the waterfall, met those people, had that meal. In the moment, it seems like it’s going to be difficult, but the memories made from a full day are totally worth it.

Where to Go: Some of my favorite solo adventures have been on the road, pondering life while riding U.S. highways and byways destined for national and state parks. Finding a local outfitter that offers group trips is a great way to explore the parks and meet some locals for a more immersive cultural experience. I did something like this last spring in Louisiana’s Acadiana region on an overnight kayak trip in the swamp, and learned more about Cajun culture around the campfire than I could have on one visit to a museum.

Julia Pond, head of editorial content at Skyscanner.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIA POND

Who: Julia Pond, head of editorial content at Skyscanner

Put a Ring On It: I’ve been hearing a lot of tips since we launched a “tips” feature for solo female travelers. One of the most interesting ones: Bring a wedding ring, even if you’re not married. Especially if you’re doing more intrepid travel, it can be really helpful to pretend that you’re attached, whether you’re attached or not, whether you’re straight or not.

Understand the Culture: It is so important to understand the customs of the place you’re visiting. See how the locals dress and adapt. If you’re going to France, dress a little more nicely, don’t dress like an American in slumpy shorts and flip-flops. You’ll get treated better if you’re dressed like a French person. In India, wear long flowy trousers and long flowy shirt and you’ll be in a much better situation than if you’re in a Western tank top that just makes you stand out.

Where to Go: Wildlife, surfing, yoga, tea and cinnamon — Sri Lanka is a fragrant, addictive destination for solo women. People are relaxed and super honest, and much of the harassment or bargaining you might encounter in its continental neighbor, India, is off the table. Take surfing lessons with an accomplished native (who probably started when he was 11) or meet up with other travelers (thanks to a healthy backpacking scene) to visit a tea plantation or go on safari in one of three national parks. Finish with freshly grilled fish for dinner. Repeat.

Travel hacks to keep the kids happy this Easter road trip

Will you be able to keep the kids occupied on your Easter journey?

With Easter just around the corner and families beginning to prepare for their long weekend road trips, the old saying ‘it’s about the journey and not the destination’ can be a far cry for even the most patient of parents.

Despite packing extra snacks to organising entertainment, sometimes kids can leave parents feeling frazzled and frustrated before even leaving the house.

To help families get the most out of their Easter road trip and ensure the journey is as smooth as possible, Budget Car Rental Australia has pulled together some top tips and hacks to keep the kids happy in the car.

Plan, plan, plan

Plan your road trip down to the minute. Once you think you’re done planning, plan some more.

Key things to consider before embarking on your road trip, is to time it around the kid’s sleeping patterns, schedule toilet breaks and rest periods for the family to stretch their legs and get some air.

Make packing lists ahead of time to ensure nothing is forgotten and be sure to include an extra set of accessible clothes in case of any accidents during the trip.

Are we there yet?

Hear the end of the pesky “are we there yet?” or “how much longer” questions by creating a fun and visual road-trip countdown.

Get the kids to create cards listing each city or town that you will pass on your route and pin them on a string to be displayed in the car.

Every time you pass a city or town, remove the corresponding card, making it more and more exciting the closer you get to your destination.

Comfort is key

If your road trip is on the longer side, be sure to dress the kids in comfortable clothes.

Leggings, tracksuits, or even pyjamas are perfect for a lengthy car ride.

This way, the children can get more comfortable and even have a nap so they’re well-rested to get out and explore once you arrive at your destination.

Organisation nation

You can never be too organised on a road trip.

Having a tidy, organised car will save a surprising amount of time at pit stops and help you get back on the road faster.

A handy trick is hanging a shoe organiser on the back of the front seats as the pockets act as individual storage compartments for the kids to have access to everything they might need.

If your kids love to draw or colour-in, attach suction shower organisers on car windows to hold their crayons, pencils and markers, making them easy to access and saves them from falling under the seats.

Stock up on snacks

Nobody wants a “hangry” toddler (or partner!), so make sure to stock up on snacks before heading off on the road.

Pre-prepared, individual servings of fruits and veggies are always ideal, but it’s always great to also pack a sweet treat for the children to look forward to as a reward for being on their best behaviour.

Games for everyone

Road trip games are not only great for kids, but for the whole family.

While iPads and car board games are great, why not make your own game from the road trip itself?

Get the kids interested looking out of the windows on a road trip scavenger hunt and see who can see the most roadside sights along the way.

Alternatively, pack each kids’ favourite games in a dedicated backpack and keep it with them in the car. That way they have everything they need at their fingertips.

7 Practical Tips To Make Business Travel More Bearable

Business travel is a tiring ordeal for many people—whether it’s dealing with different time zones, crappy hotels and work. As many hospitality and travel companies within the $1.3 trillion industry are trying to improve the experience—focusing on mobile functions and customization in 2019 according to Jeff Berk, CEO of Tripkicks—travelers have more options to “make business trips suck less.” So what are some simple yet practical ways to get a head start? I reached out to several industry insiders to find out.

This can be part of your next business trip.

COURTESY OF NAYA TRAVELER

Bring a pre-charged phone charger

As someone who often travels for business, I know how important my mobile charger is. Since calls and emails can drain batteries very quickly, my advice for road warriors would be to keep a portable USB charger handy. I prefer something easy to pack like the Anker PowerCore+ mini, which is slightly larger than a regular Chapstick but adds six hours to a phone’s battery life. Another great option is the Mophie Juice Pack—a powerful charger that doubles as a phone case.

—David Bueno, General Manager of The Jefferson in Washington, DC

PowerCore+ Mini ($19.99)

ANKER

Maximize hotel rewards

For business executives who frequent the same cities or the same hotel brands, take advantage of hotel reward cards for significant savings and discounts. For example, the Bettoja Club Card provides a 20% discount on the car park ‘Garage Mediterraneo,’ a welcome drink at Hotel Mediterraneo’s Roof Garden, and a free stay for the second person from Friday to Sunday, among other benefits.

owever, traveling with loved ones can be stressful, so look for family-friendly hotels such as The DAYTONA that have “abundant recreation opportunities and proximity to local attractions.”

—Michael Melendez, General Manager of The DAYTONA in Daytona Beach, Florida

Look out for restaurants with children’s menus when traveling with little ones. (Photo credit: Getty)

GETTY

Stay to the left

Whether it’s the airport, bus terminal or train station, traveling involves constant maneuvering around other people. Because the majority of travelers are right-handed, we tend to favor the right in general. So when confronted with moving walkways, lines or check-in desks, keep to the left and see where it gets you.

—Beth Gibson, Experiential Travel Expert of Avis Car Rental

Walk on the left side (Photo credit: Getty)

GETTY

Talk to HR

Raise issues of archaic policies to your HR team to allow for more choice and humanity in your business travels. A great way to begin the conversation is through the use of benchmarking. Companies want to remain competitive, and if they’re falling too far behind, they need to hear it from their employees. Travel Management professionals have access to The Association for Corporate Travel Executives(ACTE) and the Global Business Travel Association(GBTA), which focus on educating and communicating new trends plus standards across companies. Generally, talk to your fellow business travelers and see what their business trips are like!

—Jeff Berk, CEO of Tripkicks

Make the most of travel resources

There are so many companies and platforms geared for better business travel; use them! For instance, “companies like Freebird take some of the pain out of flight cancellations,” offering a mobile solution for business travelers to quickly book a new ticket after any cancellation, delay or missed connection.

And at Tripkicks, we value business travelers who are willing to make cost-saving choices, so we reward them with part of their savings. To stay up to date with the best travel apps and resources, check out the occasional ‘10 best travel apps’ blog posts, but there’s no substitute for talking to your globetrotting friends!

—Jeff Berk, CEO of Tripkicks

Rewards at Tripkicks

TRIPKICKS

Take excursions

Embrace the bleisure (business and leisure) trend by taking excursions. They come in different forms and lengths, ranging from a two-hour Ayurvedic treatment in India to a full-day relaxation experience in an exclusive property in Morocco. The idea is to disconnect from the stresses of business travel, really switch off and explore a new destination. If you want to immerse into a unique culture and lifestyle, it’s worth investing in a travel planner that can tailor your itinerary around your preferences and time constraints.

—Marta Tucci, Co-Founder of Naya Traveler

BONUS: As a cheaper alternative, Berk suggests checking popular platforms such as Viator, Airbnb and Walks for different authentic, local experiences.

Hammam experience in Marrakesh

COURTESY OF NAYA TRAVELER