Posts tagged: trip

The Right Bag for Your Trip

Discovering that your suitcase is broken or opened bottles of perfume spilled on your clothes and your documents is the worst way to begin or end a trip. But cool! With these tips you can choose the best bag to take with you, so forget about the problems that may occur and to dedicate yourself to enjoy a well deserved holiday!

Anyone who has traveled a few times have seen dripping fluid bags open or battered while awaiting the arrival of his luggage conveyor belt. Take a moment to select the appropriate case before a trip can save you a tremendous headache.
For long trips I recommend a hard case, especially for holidays in the style of Samsonite, which are quite tough and resilient. A good idea is to buy one with enough space, where even if you place you pack plenty of things you buy during your trip without having to carry extra bags.

If the trip will be short (one day, for example) for business reason or another, for you plus a small suitcase or handbag that you carry with you (you must call the airport and make sure the size limit to avoid last minute surprises).

Try to get a suitcase or bag that has several pockets and compartments, it is very helpful to have passports, documents and other important things.

Wheeled Luggage

The built-in wheels are a great advantage because the weight of the bag rests on them and do not try so hard to bring her back and forth. They are very comfortable, but be sure to bring an extendable handle to handle. I commented on the care that the wheels are quite resistant, but not the handle, which can be split to a bad move. Take appropriate precautions.

A good advice: these bags are not road, so take into account not fill completely. It happened to me think “Wow, I can put everything, all I will not charge it!” nothing wrong. The first steps that I had almost ended up with a hernia.

Waterproof Cases

Some bags fade easily, even when others resist alcohol or acetone spills. Is not you never thought to ask that when you buy a bag? The fact that they are waterproof is very important because the bag can get wet during the trip due to an unforeseen transportation or just another case that is spilling liquid. If you do not want your clothes end up with horrible spots that you can never remove, consider the issue of waterproofing. An important fact is that the best bags can not withstand more than 15 minutes of direct action of water (this is inevitable).

A suitcase for each destination

Depending on the type of trip and destination will be better to take another kind of luggage. For example, if you do a tour or transfer you from one city to another, the ideal is but a small suitcase with wheels that can move effortlessly from side to side.

It is good to have accessible compartments where you put the camera, an accessory (mp3 player, iPod, etc.) Or cloth required, as a hat or scarf, you will be very useful. Even if you can carry an umbrella can save the day before a sudden climate change.

On the other hand, if the journey is long and the bag will only airplane, train, etc. the hotel and back, the ideal is a large suitcase, tough, where you put everything you need to not having to spend unnecessary money buying things you already have.

Tips for Taking Better Photos on Your Trip

There is nothing better after a trip to open a thick photo album and sharing their memories of times spent with friends or family. The feelings, people and places we knew which recreate stories will never forget. Find out how to make the most of your camera to make your trip unforgettable.

Surely you will agree with me that there is nothing better than returning from a trip and go running to the store revealed later to be able to relive the experience through these images.

Sometimes we see in any travel magazine, a television or the Web, an image that seems incredible, and think that only a professional photographer could have captured that wonderful.

But the reality is that it is so difficult to get some amazing photos, and if you’re traveling, you may count on a natural or urban very interesting to portray.

On the other hand, is not just about taking photos “artistic.” Do not forget the documentary, cities and towns, their inhabitants, their customs and their stories. Everything is important, and if you travel together, you can immortalize these moments with your loved ones.

The necessary equipment

When thinking about photography can fall into the trap of thinking uncomfortable contraptions, tripods, cameras weighing 5 kilograms, etc. Today, with a mid-range digital camera, or a good cell phone that take pictures, you will be more than enough.

Anyway you must be careful in some points:

* At least you should have a couple of spare batteries.
* Be sure to bring a small charger for the tour (not take up much space.)
* Recharge your batteries before every ride.
* Does your camera have enough memory? If not you should invest in one. It is very annoying to have to be downhill all the time the photos on a computer (and there will be areas where not even have access to one).
I recommend a 512Mb onwards. Make sure it is compatible with your camera model.
* Do not forget to buy also a good case to carry it comfortably, attached to a belt or belt loops. In this way, protected from dust, eventually dropped, or rubbing step and not have to take it all the time in hand.

The camera

The camera is a tool that, used correctly, but will not give you satisfaction. When photographing people, you should keep in mind that sometimes the background can be important or not. If you’re traveling to Egypt, so that you can take all the photos back out of the desert landscape, a temple or pyramid. Does it seem obvious? However, in the foreground many forget this detail.

A distant background object can enter fully into the same wall that the person depicted. An extreme approach serves to highlight a detail.

Try to avoid the sun hits you straight to take a photo, so people do not go dark or black, and clear or white background. In cases that you cannot avoid is a simple trick: even if there is a sun that splitting the land, using the flash. This will give a backlight that will clear out the picture.

The best time to take photos is during the morning because the light falls sideways and everything is better illuminated. At noon there will be lots of shadows (and many other people too).

Try before you take a picture, if is as good horizontal, or vertical. Depending on what you want to portray objects or landscapes you can choose one or the other way.

Do not jump all photos “to eye level.”  Taking a photo up you can highlight any monument or building, giving an air of “stunning.”

Images taken from high places are very good. Do not miss the opportunity if the window of your hotel has a good view!

Each region has a particular magic because of its people, so do not be afraid to ask for permission to photograph someone doing a daily task.

Tips for the return

When you have completed your trip, download the photos on your computer and retouch images with some program for this purpose. There are thousands of online tutorials on how to do it.

Choose the best photo paper for printing, just as if you had revealed.

If your camera is not digital, remember to reveal the roll as soon as possible because the colors are deteriorating with the passage of days.

Not necessarily must spend much money on developing. The development of the roll (without printing the photos) is very, very cheap. Once you have all the negatives you can choose only the best shots to enlarge.

With these techniques sure you get the best photos of your trip!

Touching the Sky with Your Hands

Since times immemorial, the human need to explore beyond their lands led to the invention of a transport that could carry over seas and rivers. The history of shipping has millennia and has led to amazing results: the big catamarans, fast boats and cargo ships that ply the waters we see today in the world. Imagine then what awaits us in aviation, with only a century of development.

Motor of great inventors, from Leonardo Da Vinci, the Renaissance, to the Wright brothers, in the early twentieth century, the problem of flying has been a headache, a problem that seemed to have no solution … Now it seems like we fly every day and a means of transport. However, the idea of conquering the sky in ancient times it was not much like what we experienced to get on a plane, sit in a chair and wait a random landing. Therefore, for the more adventurous, who want to feel like a bird among the clouds, the wind in his face, those who are not satisfied with a simple plane ride, here are some options for planning a trip in the Heights.

From the simplest to the most risky, the three flights elected:

Hot Air Balloon

By 1783, two French inventors, brothers Joseph and Jacques Montgolfier, were fascinated with the idea of flying and built a flying vehicle that, in his honor, was known by the name of Mongolfiera. It was a very large balloon made of linen and wrapped in paper, placed over a fire that heated air could rise as a result of the force exerted by the air itself from the bottom up. This was demonstrated publicly no one aboard. Two months later, a French physicist Alexandre César Charles, built and managed to fly a real hot air balloon, or a balloon filled with a gas less dense than air: hydrogen. After more than 200 years, the system remains almost unchanged.

Balloon flight can be an experience for the whole family, quiet and one of the safest of its kind. There are different kinds of flights and one of them, the most commercialized, consists of a balloon with a string fixed permanently to the land that can, in very light wind conditions, up to a height of about 20-30 meters, without being moved almost in any direction. The ascent time will stipulate what the guide and is usually 10 to 30 minutes.

In the basket of a hot air balloon go up to 8 people plus the pilot, unless they exceed the weight limit. While it may be a great activity to share with your family, know it is not advisable to bring children less than 5 years. It is a unique experience, magic and, unless suffering from vertigo, everyone can enjoy a walk in the clouds.

But some people choose to go further and embark on the adventure of learning the science of directing a balloon without a string tie us down. To this will have to hire an instructor or go to an academy. Although at first glance it’s easy, must acquire some knowledge of meteorology and specific management of the globe. Weather is important in this activity and before planning a trip there to be informed of the weather.

The flight of baptism, the first pilot, takes about an hour between concrete and air time, so it is desirable to have about 3-4 hours between the assembly, flight and subsequent search. You must start early in the morning because that is when the wind is calmer and the atmosphere is cooler and stable and that when it starts to get hot air balloon flight is more dangerous.

The balloon flies 200 to 1,000 meters. High, and they’ve been cautious and hired a serious service will be followed at all times by a rescue vehicle. In addition, should the property selected for this activity is flat, because you always know from where it departed, but never know where to land …

Paragliding
Its name derives from the term “parachute pending” and officially invented in the 80s in France. It is a simple mechanism: a flap that connects the user through a harness. This wing has a series of ribs that give stability to the flight system. The air enters through the edges and inside the wing press, which, with its streamlined shape allows the lift. For this very reason, unlike the parachutes, use “inflation” before the flight. This is accomplished by taking a big stage before a break away from the ground or transported at high speed by a field.

In addition the wing is necessary to take a “flying suit” which is a waterproof covers the entire body, boots, gloves and helmet. The essential instruments are the radio, an altimeter variometer, used to detect vertical air speeds among other functions it performs and a GPS to help set the direction towards which we are headed. It is also important to have a reserve parachute, which is carried inside the sling.

Not everyone can play golf and do need a minimum of theory and training. Another thing to consider is the area where climatic conditions and practice, because if the air is nearly still, simply limit ourselves to planning, while with enough wind, we can cover more territory.

Paragliding is transportable and can be folded into a pocket or backpack. Once in the air the pilot will be comfortably seated in the harness and may operate the vehicle with a thread or commands, that will change our direction to the left or right, will allow us to turn, brake and accelerate.

They should know that the burden of the pilot’s body weight will change the attitude of the glider pendulum. There are gliders of different sizes for different rider weights, and in turn different models for different riding levels, from beginner sailing to sailing competition.

Skydiving
It’s the closest to the invention of Leonardo da Vinci. The great inventor had drawn the first plans for a parachute. He studied the flight of more than twenty years and in 1486 began studying the birds. The secret behind human flight was on the wings of birds, a design that allowed the flight object falling from a great height. But Leonardo da Vinci never put into practice his idea. It was not until 1797, when the balloons flying Andre Jacques Garnerin made the first of many exhibition parachute jumps from hot air balloon.

Garnerin’s parachute was made of silk and looked like a huge umbrella. His parachute had no hole in the top and this caused a violent agitation at the time of its opening. But this fails, which is also in the designs of Da Vinci, was beaten and now modern parachutes have holes that allow air to flow through them, helping the parachute to remain stable.

Before the existence of the airplane, a parachute flight was not quite right and for entertainment only practiced jumping from balloons. With the development of airplanes in the early twentieth century, the parachutes were a good idea, but not for fun, but to enhance the safety of passengers on the flight.

Today, the parachute is much more than a backup tool for possible emergencies is a sport practiced around the world. It requires minimal training to fly for the first time. And if your intention is to continue the practice of this sport, you’ll need to aware of what things you must identify your parachute to make sure everything goes smoothly and that most accidents happen because of lack of foresight and control.

The parachutes that are used to transport people are usually made of nylon and should be folded and forming a sort of package, which will open after pulling a cord. Along the seams of the fabric are suspended ropes or lines that run throughout the parachute to a ring, which is part of the harness worn by the parachutist. Everything must be controlled; even this harness is holding a skydiver and keeps getting hurt when the parachute opens.

There is almost no age limits for diving, but weight. It must also be healthy physically and mentally, in the sense of being able to respect certain rules of discipline of flying, since 99% of accidents are caused by the negligence of the pilots.

Of the three sports, skydiving is the riskiest and most expensive since it is impossible to do without an air vehicle. You also need to rent a good team and have professional instructors. But beyond that, the experience of throwing with a parachute will be unique and hard to forget.

Holidays with Babies: Where, How and When

Are you planning a vacation appropriate to go with your baby? There is good news: your family is young does not mean you stop traveling . For a baby not only great to have new experiences, it also helps them learn and be more flexible as they grow. Traveling is a break from the routine and the routine life of the parents that gives the whole family time for bonding and sharing new experiences.

The world is a big place and there is no reason that you cannot enjoy it. You have everything to achieve the perfect trip, but before you plan for it. Let us guide you in your best holiday 100% designed for your baby:

1. Destiny

Choose either the destination of your journey. You can travel to almost any destination with your child, but most parents will want to choose a safe and smooth.

2. Options for family

It is recommended to take account of the cruise, beach vacation, family resorts, and camps. The theme parks are just for children over 4 or 5 years. Also avoid the tourist areas with large crowds, the travel demand much chattering, lengthy stays and limited service hotels inn. You have to weigh the tranquility of staying in a hotel or resort familiar with special facilities for children that provide security. When booking, you have to confirm the availability of high chairs, cots and that sort of elements that will make your trip more enjoyable.

3. Take absolutely everything you and your baby need

Does your child’s favorite blanket is occupied so much space in your bag? Surely not, you should not resign bring those objects that your happiness. Do not assume that you will find everything that you could carry. If for example your baby reacts differently to different diapers, deal to bring sufficient for the whole trip. Not be exaggerated: there are things that do not really need, but you try your baby is objects that remind you feel at home to familiar surroundings.

4. Time to relax

Babies can succeed much over stimulated or when traveling. Try to plan flights or road trips longer and on a schedule that matches your sleep time. This allows you to relax normally. You also try to rest with him to spend quality time during the day.

5. Be flexible

You’re not at home; your son is not home, so some routines must conform. It helps to have a sense of continuity but need to relax a bit and go with the flow rather than having a planned trip by the minute. Planning for the unexpected will give you more peace of mind to enjoy your trip as you deserve. For example, try to arrive early to the airport to make arrangements with confidence and count on extra time for coffee, instead of running in a hurry to take the flight completely stressed.

6. Check what documents you should bring

In most countries it is mandatory that all children, even babies have their valid passport when traveling outside the country. But depending on the destination of your choice, you also need other papers.

7. The first few days it difficult to adapt

It will surely be one of the first, but the first trip of the child, so no wonder it costs a bit out of the daily routine of the family home. To help you bring your blanket or favorite toy. It is also helpful to establish a routine, like eating what you eat at home and even similar schedules. Try not to do many things, especially the first two or three days of the trip so that your baby can relax and get used to for many new things. Children are greatly reflected in their parents, so if you show you relaxed will be easier for them to enjoy.

8. Travel in low season

If you have the possibility, especially if you do not have school-age children, it is advisable to travel in low season. In high season the sites are crowded and it takes much longer to move, get a free restaurant and even relax amid the din of the crowd. In low season everything is quiet and you can keep your own pace.

9. Enjoy

The first vacation of your baby are truly unforgettable! Worry less and enjoy it more.