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where to go? when to go? what to pack? All valid questions.
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Maybe it’s for Spring Break, Summer Road Trips, Fall Festivals, Winter escapes… Start with the calendar featuring a few fun holidays, traditional and non, moon phases to plan ahead for, and more.
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“you don’t necessarily have to travel far,
to experience something new.”
“Get out in town.”
― denmtravels
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“balance in a busy, beautiful world”
― denmtravels
Let’s Travel
You love to travel, whether it be out of town or out of the country. denmtravels shares travel experiences near and far with inspirations from our beautiful planet encouraging you to get out there and explore, and showcasing communities and small businesses you can check out to support local.
We’re all working on maintaining some semblance of balance in our lives in dealing with everyday stresses and wanting to get away for a break, but not break the bank. The awesome part about getting outdoors is that mother nature provides us with some really amazing free health benefits. And to make sure we don’t go broke when taking on our next travel venture, they’re a couple things to take into consideration in our travel planning.
Besides what you want to do, it’s probably a good idea to sit and decipher all that it is you actually can do. When are you considering travelling? How much time do you have? Where to do you want to go? What’s your budget like, and what’s the accepted form of payment? Are there any entry fees or restrictions like visas or vaccinations? Do you even know any of the basics in the language? Well, let’s start with taking a look at what’s going on, where and when.
Know the difference between eta and visa here, and for more information on visas visit https://cibtvisas.com/visas
Where to go
If you’re like me, you prefer the warmer climates. If that’s not your thing, that’s okay too. I’ve had my share of shoveling snow. And even though that wasn’t particularly fun, I have also enjoyed building snowmen and making snow angels during the winter season.
Winter can be a time for hibernation for some, or it’s the perfect time to head somewhere else for that warmer weather, and for others, it really is the most exciting time and the snow slopes are calling.
The Northern Hemisphere will have their warmer temperatures during the months of June, July and August, and colder temps during December, January, and February. The Southern Hemisphere will have the opposite. So when North America and Europe is experiencing “winter”, places like Australia and Argentina would be having their “summer”. States like Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama still have areas that experience both warm and chilly temperatures. Florida is the warmest state most of the year. California on the west coast also has warm temps in their southern regions and colder temps in the north. The first time I drove through a snow storm was actually upstate Cali. Mexico and Central America, have warm weather. India, the Phillipines and surrounding countries, warm. And of course, my favourite, every island in the Caribbean will have warm weather all year round. You might encounter a hurricane or two, but warm weather, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
Besides the weather being a factor, what do you travel to experience? The festivals, the cultures, the foods, the different geographies and landscapes? I will be bias and say The Caribbean Islands have the best carnivals. What’s better than great music, soulful food, fabulous costumes, loving people, and of course, the beach?! Vibes on top of vibes on top of vibes.
Other great music festivals also include Caochella in California, Reggae Fest in Jamaica and Tomorrowland in Belgium. Then they’re other festivals with themes centered around flowers, harvest, wine, religion, art, film, animals and the dead!
Maybe you like more dramatic history and the architecture to match, so maybe a European vacation is your thing. Either way, whatever your thing, the important thing is to get out, see some world, experience new things. And you don’t necessarily have to travel far to experience something different or new. In Georgia, I went to a “Cotton Pickin’ Fair” and it was actually really cute, with lots of local arts and produce.
Read on to see what events and festivals are happening this year. Some might very well be in your home town.
Or maybe you want to go experience some mother nature and her jungles, forests, mountains and some of The World’s Wonders.
When to go
Funny days, spiritual days, and days created by associations and organizations like the United Nations, to bring more awareness to many health, geographical and world matters. View and download your free calendar and start planning!
There have been many different discoveries, theories, conclusions and so and so forth about the “year” in which we “live”. The start, the months … We all know (or should know), that the entire world does not all “ring in” the “new calendar year” at the very same time. Not with having different time zones and all. “The first of all is the Republic of Kiribati, in the Caroline Islands northeast of Australia”. And then, there’s Ethiopia, who hasn’t even reached the year 2020 as yet. Either way, we will now work with what we have, from where we are, until we grow and learn and know and do better.
I acknowledge the traditional calendar year that everyone else (correction) most, follow. But as far as the actual “new” or beginning of a new “year”, I look at the bigger picture, and that for me that is Mother Nature. I look at when Nature physically starts changing from “dead” branched, to budding blooms. Spring time, what is called The Vernal Equinox, and this too, has had different connotations. Again The date and time really isn’t that important to me. I still do recognize and comprehend that we use days and time as we do centimeters and inches, as a measurement.
Have you ever heard of The Wiccan Wheel of The Year and the Wiccan Sabbats?
“The Wiccan Sabbats are eight seasonal festivals that form an essential part of the Wiccan Wheel of the Year, celebrating the cycles of nature, the changing of the seasons, and the relationship between the God and the Goddess in Wiccan practice. The Sabbats are deeply connected to ancient traditions, especially those of agricultural societies, and are celebrated in different ways across Wiccan traditions. These Sabbats are not just about celebrating the changing seasons but also about connecting with the cycles of life, death, and rebirth, fostering a deep relationship with the natural world. They can be celebrated in a variety of ways, from rituals and feasts to meditation, crafts, and nature walks.”
What are your thoughts? View and learn more about the themes associated with The Wiccan Wheel of The Year and the Wiccan Sabbats here.
Winter solstice is the day of the year with the shortest period of daylight and the start of those kind of days to come. Summer solstice marks the beginning of long sunny, summer, beach days! Spring time is obviously the time for experiencing those beautiful new blooms, like the cherry blossoms, and Autumn (Fall), is when they’re many food festivals, along with religious festivities, are happening around the world.
So here’s an expanded explanation of what is meant by Equinox and Solstice, and the Seasons.
dictionary.com: “An equinox is one of the two times of the year when the amount of daylight and nighttime hours are just about of equal length. The vernal equinox marks the start of spring, and the autumnal equinox marks the start of fall. A solstice is one of the two times of the year resulting in the most amount of daylight time or the least amount of daylight time in a single day. Solstices mark the start of summer and winter.”
brittanica.com has this video, “What is the difference between a solstice and an equinox?”
The Full Moon is said to be a very fundamental, essential part of earlier Native Tribes in their being able to monitor and follow the changing of the seasons. If you’re into the full moon, see more on “more inspirations” page.
What to pack
Besides your basic underwear, swimwear or winter gear and those kind of things, I made a list for myself to make sure I have some other things many don’t really think of and can be very well deemed as “necessities”.
So you have your bath stuff and skin care, dental and facial care; so your shower gel/bath soap, deodorant, lotion/oil, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouth wash, floss…
Then for the ladies, personal hygiene products, and for the gents, your shave routine.
But, do you think of packing a first aid kit? Tissue, wipes, sanitizer, alcohol… A nail kit with tweezers? Taking the skin care a little further with sun protection and insect repellent…
I have certain oils, and herbal drops I always travel with no matter where I go, and they have saved my little butt on many occasions. Tea tree oil, and echinacea are a few.
For your devices, especially when travelling internationally, you’ll need to double check the electrical voltage/wattage; ensure you have the right converter or transformer. Remember your chargers for laptops and other devices: cameras, drones, phones… For road trips, verifying the type of outlet/port the car has, so you are able to plug in your cord to charge your phone. For cruises, I have a waterproof case for my phone that’s like a lanyard. Just to have, just to have, it could also be a good idea to have a flash light and batteries on hand especially on the specific travel plans you have.
Then of course there’s the extras. Flying: collapsible neck pillow + mask, ear plugs, headphones; driving: bottled water to drink + not, snacks!
I also bought and travel with a water bottle (collapsible or w/ filter), hand umbrella, packaged rain poncho, notepad + pen, and a foldable backpack or a waist bag/crossbody to drop half these things in.
And of course, depending our where you’re travelling, remember your passport, driver’s license, visas, local currency, tolls, (international/travel) credit card, travel documents: tickets, passes, etc. View and download the free checklist here and make it personalized to you!
What to say
Here are a few basic intro French phrases…
And here are a few basic intro Spanish phrases…
Spring Festivals (Flower Festivals)
Spring time is the awakening of the earth. Mother Nature is getting ready to put on a spectacular show to entice the senses. (Sorry allergy sufferers) The air is fragrant with distinct aromas, the buds are blooming into vibrant displays… Depending on where you are there might still be a chill in the atmosphere, but nevertheless, everything and everyone for the most part is waking raring, and ready to get going.
They’re many festivals around this time, but for now, I just like to share the different flower festivals because, well, what’s more inspiring than attending an entire showcase of these beautiful creations in their different shapes, sizes, colours, textures, background stories, meanings, uses, and more?!
Here’s a list of some Spring Flower Festivals around the town and around the world
If you know of any additional Flower Festivals you think others would enjoy, do share!
Summer Festivals
Summer is the season for Summer Love! Love of being outdoors, love of togetherness, love of the arts, music, song and dance. Now, this list would not be complete without adding Caribbean Carnivals! But do check out some other festivals as well.
Check out some of the best Summer Festivals around the world…
They’re so many things happening during the Summer. If you believe there is a particular festival that is a must to attend this Summer, let’s add it to the list!
Fall Festivals
As I mentioned, Autumn is generally the time of many food and drink festivals. (I guess it’s the time to fatten yourself up for the change in season and weather) Also, it is a time for many holidays and family gatherings, and Religious celebrations and traditions.
They’re some pretty unique and interesting festivals for the Fall Season besides the food festivals. Take a look!
Take Flight
Have you ever experienced a hotair balloon ride?
A must see: The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta – “From a small gathering of 13 balloons in 1972, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has grown to become the largest balloon event in the world. Held each year during the first week in October, the Balloon Fiesta now features about 600 balloons and 700 pilots”.
Another great way to see the beautiful geography and landscapes of a place is to take in a helicopter ride.
See here, what it’s like to take a helicopter ride over majestic icon mountains.
Layover/stopover? What’s the difference?
Just think “lay” short, and “stop” long. A layover is a short break between flights, like some connecting flights in Miami, Florida. While a stopover is a longer break that allows you to explore of a particular area between your connections. Take a break for a few hours hours or stay for a couple nights.
Airlines that allow for stopovers
Take in short flights
Between the Caribbean Islands, you can definitely take advantage of the more local airlines and take a quick, relatively short flight to visit other islands near by. Like I’ve travelled between St. Martin and Saba using Winair.
Virgin Atlantic is supposed to be offering flights between Barbados to Grenada and St Vincent. But as always, double check your travel carrier directly, as schedules and routes may tend to change.
Other Caribbean airlines and airlines that travel between The Caribbean Islands include Air Antilles, Air Caraibes, Bahamas Air, Caribbean Airlines, Cayman Airways, Copa Airlines, InterCaribbean Airways, and WestJet.
Road Trips
Whether you use your own vehicle, rent one, or do the whole RV thing, road trips make for awesome personalized adventures. There’s freedom and flexibility. You can stop whenever and wherever you want, and for as long as you want. Enjoy the quality time with your drive mates, plan visits to friends and family along the way…
Use the time to be with your thoughts and ideas, feelings and emotions. This can be considered a type of ecotherapy, being on an open road with lots of trees or mountain ranges or the coastline beside you.
Speaking of, road trips allow for the opportunity to stop off and take in some amazing views at several different look out points.
Some really great and popular routes in the U.S.A and Europe
The Pacific Coast Highway in California, featuring the breathtaking Big Sur.
the legendary Historic Route 66, that runs from Santa Monica, California to Chicago, Illinois.
The Oregon Trail beginning in Independence, Missouri and ending in Oregon City, Oregon. It was a major route for American pioneers traveling west in the 1800s, a central feature of one of the largest mass migrations of people in American history.
Then there’s The Road to Nowhere.
And for a Southern treat, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina & Virginia, USA ”an iconic American parkway” mountains ranges, pastoral landscapes and the Appalachian highlands. The Appalachian Trail which has a driving route you can take almost parallel to the hike trail.
►Explore a few tours and excursion ideas here.
In Europe, Italy has two wel-lknonwn routes: The Great Dolomites Road, and the iconic Amalfi Coast famous for its commanding cliffs, beautiful beaches, and vibrant vineyards. The Amalfi Coast shoreline drive goes from Sorrento to Salerno and appeared in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale, starring Daniel Craig as 007.
There’s The Dalmatian Coast, a beautiful stretch of coastline in Croatia’s southernmost region, along the Adriatic Sea’s eastern shore and the country’s most well-known and visited stretch; starting at Zadar and ending at the Bay of Kotor.
Ever heard of The Cannes Festival (now The International Film Festival), well that area Cannes, France, a resort town, is part of The French Riviera (or Côte d’Azur) the Mediterranean coast of southeastern France that also boasts picturesque landscapes and exquisite cuisines.
Just like the U.S.A has Route 66, Europe has Route 1 in Iceland, said to be one of Europe’s great road-trip destinations. However, this is a national highway that just circles the island, at the same time, it can take up to 7 days. You’ll be taking in waterfalls, cliffs, lagoons, mountain passes, and so many awesome geographical features.
If you enjoy whimsical, quaint towns, The Fairy Tale route, or Deutsche Märchenstraße, in Germany, offers many charming towns, “half-timbered buildings”, castles, parks, and museums, referencing fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, “German academics who collected and published folk tales and songs in the early 19th century and whose works are considered a foundation of folklore studies”.
FYI: Roadtripping in Europe
Explore some tours and excursion ideas here.
Set sail
So most people like a good cruise. What’s not to like? You basically pay one fare and you eat and drink to your heart’s desire (for the most part). Laze around all day, or partake in some of the fun activities they have onboard. Meet new people and have more fun!
How to get a decent fare?
Research says, two times in particular: during the “shoulder seasons” which is early spring or late fall, or during the “wave season” which is the months of January through March. Other things noted were, to consider less popular destinations, or opt for inside cabins, or be flexible with your travel dates. But if you want what you want, then you should work towards what you want and you should get what you want.
Like any travel planning, if you know when and where you want to go, you abler to be vigilant in your search; qualify for early savings. Book early, when new itineraries are released, and read fine print or simply ask the questions on price protection. It’s suggested that 6 to 18 months is pretty advanced time to look into booking your cruises.
Other times, you might be able to get in on a last-minute deal close to the sailing date, but there’s definitely no price adjustment, nor refund on those.
If you still love the open waters, but not a fan of the cruise scene, you might like the options for smaller groups and sails on boats like a catamaran.
You can charter a boat which simply means “renting” one, and they are varying uses including your own short travel, fishing, or tours. Additionally, they’re different types of charters: bareboat or demise charter, for a fee, you got it, you sail it. Voyage charter, you rent the boat and the crew. Then there’s cabin charter, crewed charter, inclusive charter, skippered charter, time charter; pretty self-explanatory for the most part, but honestly, don’t get all worked up about it. Have an idea of the kind of experience you want to have and then talk to the company about the details and pricing options offered, and from there, do your comparison and make a better informed decision.
There’s something about being out at sea! It’s such a freeing, invigorating feeling (unless you get sea sick or you’re scared of open waters to begin with, maybe because you watched the movie “Jaws”). Otherwise, once you allow yourself to be present and bask in the simplicity and beauty of the moment, being out amongst nature and the elements, observing the creator’s wondrous works, engaging your senses: the crisp fresh air, the gentle breezes, the blue waters, the sound of the waves… this feeling can become relaxing and blissful, even euphoric. Very therapeutic. Indirectly another form of ecotherapy.
Themes associated with The Wiccan Wheel of The Year and the Wiccan Sabbats
compilation of information taken from several online resources including: pagangrimoire.com and theancientsage.com
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