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How to Travel in Japan: JR West Rail Pass

Do you plan on becoming one of the 30 million tourists who visit Japan each year?

If so, you can make your travels less stressful by taking advantage of a JR West Rail Pass that’s exclusive for foreign visitors.

What is a JR West Rail Pass and how can it revolutionize the way you visit Japan? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this handy travel tool.

What Is a JR West Rail Pass?

A JR WIDE Pass is a special ticket that allows you to travel on many different trains and buses in Kansai and other surrounding areas in Japan for 5 days. You need a foreign passport to claim your mobile voucher or physical ticket. Since you get your pass at the airport after you land, you’ll be able to start traveling right away at your convenience.

The best part about this pass is that you’re able to explore both major and minor cities and regions, such as Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, and Nara. Since there are lots of Japan trains and buses that connect to the airports, you won’t have to worry about scrambling to find your way back to catch your flight home.

Where Can You Use the JR West Pass?

Although the JR West Rail Pass is convenient, you can’t use every type of public transportation option available in Japan. This pass grants you unlimited travel throughout Kansai and parts of Takamatsu, Kinosakionsen, Okayama, Kishi, Tottori, Shirahama, and more. This map gives you a detailed look at the routes and stops you can access with a JR West Rail pass.

Another detail that’s worth noting is that you’re unable to reserve any seats when you use this pass. If you’d like to reserve seats to guarantee closeness with a traveling companion, you’d have to buy separate tickets. One of the best ways to avoid packed trains and buses is to abstain from traveling during peak commute hours between 7:30 to 9:30 am and 5 to 7 pm.

Notable Perks

Japan is home to some of the best public transportation in the entire world. Thanks to their technology, every ride is guaranteed to ensure your comfort is a priority. Aside from clean facilities and speedy rides, there are other nice perks that come with getting a JR West Pass.

In many locations, you’ll have access to free wifi, coin lockers, and delicious food and drinks at the stations and on the trains. English translations are available everywhere, but if you ever feel overwhelmed, the hospitable locals will be delighted to help you out.

Are You Ready to Navigate Japan’s Railroad and Bus Systems?

Now that you know all about the benefits of using a JR West Rail Pass, you can get ready to explore Japan like a pro. With this travel option available, you can make the most out of your vacation time by cutting down on commutes.

Do you want to become an experienced globetrotter? If so, make sure you explore more of our site to discover more helpful travel tips and guides.

How It’s Made: The 8 Coolest Factory Tours In The United States

There are over 250,000 small factories in America and almost 25,000 larger factories which have 100 employees or more. If you like learning about how your favorite products are made, you have ample opportunities to do so by taking a factory tour.

However, not all factories allow tours and not all factory tours are worth your time. Luckily, there are quite a few options that are both educational and fun.

Do you want to know what they are? Keep reading to discover the 8 coolest factory tours available in America.

1. The U.S. Mint

You use them every day or at least let them pile up in your home. If you’ve ever wanted to know how coins were made, be sure to plan a trip to either Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or Denver, Colorado.

In both locations, you’ll find the U.S. Mint. During your tour, you’ll watch as tens of millions of coins are produced each and every day. You can get a great view from the 40-foot observation deck and watch every step of the process. You’re sure to have a new appreciation for those pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters after your tour!

2. Jelly Belly

Remember waking up Easter morning and finding your basket filled with chocolate bunnies, colored eggs, and jelly beans? While they’re an iconic part of Easter baskets, Jelly Belly jelly beans are a great treat all year long.

And you can watch these colorful sweets being made at the Jelly Belly factory tour in Fairfield, California. Tours are free, which is great because you’re sure to splurge at the candy store before leaving.

But it doesn’t just stop at jelly beans. The candy store also sells Jelly Belly confections like Jordan Almonds and Dutch Mints. The chocolate counter and fudge center are great additions to get your chocolate fix while the Jelly Belly Café sells lunch foods, like burgers and pizza in the shape of a jelly bean.

3. Coors Brewing

The next time to crack open a nice cold beer, take a minute to think about how it was made. Or you could tour the Coors Brewing factory in Golden, Colorado, to see for yourself!

The self-guided tour takes you through every stage of the brewing process and explains all the ingredients that go into Coors beer. Of course, at the end of the tour, those over 21 years of age can pick up a free sample.

4. Crayola

There’s one child’s toy that will never go out of style—crayons! Not only is Crayola the king of crayons, but they also produce other amazing toys that probably fill your home.

This child-friendly activity is a bit different from other tours on the list. Instead of touring a real manufacturing plant, the Crayola Experience is an interactive museum that lets kids learn about Crayola’s history and how their crayons are made. There’s even a live show where employees demonstrate the crayon-making process.

5. Hershey’s Chocolate

Just an hour and a half away from the Crayola Experience is Hershey’s Chocolate World. Nestled in Hershey, Pennsylvania, this immersive ride takes you through each step of the chocolate-making process.

Similar to the Crayola Experience, Hershey’s chocolate tour doesn’t go through the actual factory. Instead, it simulates a factory tour to create an educational and child-friendly experience. However, you’ll definitely still smell the chocolatey-goodness!

You’ll also find numerous activities here, including a 4-D chocolate movie and the chance to make your very own custom Hershey’s chocolate bar! Right across the street is Hershey Park, a theme park with thrill rides, child-friendly rides, and photo ops with Hershey characters.

6. Boeing

Have you ever wondered how such a large plane manages to stay in the air? A tour of the Boeing factory in Everett, Washington will answer this question and more.

You’ll get the chance to see several different types of planes while they’re still being built. Of course, the building is absolutely huge and quite loud, so only guided tours are allowed.

7. Gibson Guitar

What do Slash, Bob Marley, Joan Jett, Jimi Hendrix, and Billie Joe Armstrong all have in common? They all played Gibson guitars!

Gibson is one of the most popular guitar brands for celebrity guitarists and hobbyists alike. And you can tour the factory in Memphis, Tennessee.

Watch as luthiers (people who make and repair string instruments) create these masterpieces right before your eyes and learn more about what goes into each and every guitar.

8. Ben and Jerry’s

It doesn’t matter if you want a cool summer treat or a little pick-me-up after a bad day—Ben and Jerry’s ice cream is the perfect go-to. If you’re ever in Waterbury, Vermont, be sure to spend an afternoon touring their factory.

During the guided tour, you’ll learn about Ben and Jerry’s history as well as see the manufacturing process first-hand. Of course, you’ll also get to sample the flavor of the day for free! And if you want more, there’s a whole ice cream parlor where you can indulge in various flavors.

If you run an interesting factory, like Ben and Jerry’s, you may be able to make a nice chunk of change by offering tours. By investing in the best wireless tour guide system for corporate tours, your visitors can even go on self-guided tours and take as much time as they want to see your factory.

Your Guide to the Best Factory Tours

Don’t spend your summer in front of the TV. Instead, check out one of these awesome factory tours! Whether you want to learn more about coins at the U.S. Mint or cool off with some refreshing ice cream at Ben and Jerry’s, there’s a factory tour for everyone.

Do you want more ideas to keep yourself busy this summer? Then check out our hobbies and leisure blog page today!

3 Things to Consider before Moving Out

Moving out is a big, big decision to make especially for first-timers. Though it can be both exciting and terrifying to live on your own, being prepared is the best way to ease challenges which may come along the process. Well, here are the 3 things to consider before moving out:

Financial Capability. It is defined by your attitude and confidence to take action towards money. Managing your money will be the most challenging thing to face in moving out. You must learn the cost of living and anticipate your expenses for your new place such as utilities, food, rent, transportation, internet, and other bills to attend to.

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Your expenses should be inline within the budget you set, make a portion of emergency, extra, or pocket money in case something occurs which is not part of your budget. Also, your budget will rely on your income earned. You need to check your credits as well, it may be in the form of loans or credit cards. Through this, you’ll know your credit score. It is an important tool to assess your financial independence.

Aside from these points, your responsibility to handle and control your unnecessary spending should be tight and efficient. You can try a trial run a month or two before you actually move out. You can seek advice from your parents or friends, to fully realize how it may affect your lifestyle and the impact of your decision on every part of your living. Neither how, it is yourself to do the math.

Organizing your logistics. Logistics is the process to research, plan, prepare, and choose the right place for you in moving out along with the services you’ll need in the process. In researching, you try to find the place to live in which should weigh what lifestyle you have now. For instance, you live in the province then you’ll move to the city. Precisely, the prices of goods have a big difference. Also, will you like to live close to your family? Or closer to your workplace?

In planning, you need to have a checklist of things-to-do and expectations. In preparation, it requires you being ready for moving out. Setting up services for moving out costs money. With that, be wise in finding the right and reasonable service price. You ask online or from your friend’s referral. Also, utilities from cable to internet to water and electricity. You should ensure that you will not have a problem with this before you move into your new place.

The location should have nearby establishments which you can check from time-to-time for leisure or has a nearby bank, mall, school, hospital, grocery store, and other venues to do an errand with. Indeed, logistics might be a long process of organizing everything from day 0 to your actual moving out.

Prepare yourself. Not just of money to spend with or material things to bring in to your new place, but instead you. You being ready physically, mentally, and emotionally. Are you ready to be away from where you come from? Do you think living alone will make you feel happy and accomplished? Will you ready to live and do everything on your own? These questions explain how hard it could be to anyone of that thought of moving out. You need to visualize your life after you moved out.

The consequences and challenges you’ll face upon your move in. Try to figure yourself if you’ll able to survive to have these questions on your mind. Your communication and support system will be away from you for good. The time you get into your new place, you’ll then start a new life on your own. You must prepare your 100% self moving out.

Therefore, moving out is more than just being prepared and having yourself 100% ready for the big change to your life. It will definitely require you to convince yourself and your willingness to adjust yourself at some point in time. Either of these things, the experience will be something to look forward to your future, home sweet home.

10 Smart Tricks to Move Across Country

You’re planning to move across the country. Congrats!

Now comes the tricky part: Figuring out all the logistics.

The sheer amount of prepping, planning and packing is enough to make your head spin.

And the last thing you want to do is go through an across-country move in an inefficient or costly way.

That’s why I put together this list of 10 smart tricks to help you move across the country.

If you implement them, your move will be a breeze. (Or at least as much of a breeze as a cross country move can be!)

Sound interesting? Keep reading to find out more.

1. Do Your Research

The thought of moving across the country, only to arrive at a place full of surprises, should scare you. Or at least, it should scare you enough to make you do your research.

If you are moving to a place you’ve never been, you’ll want to know as much about the area as you can. And primary in that research is the cost of living.

Find out how much housing costs, and how much basic transportation costs will be. Also, look into the price of essentials like healthcare and food prices.

Of course, there are other essentials you’ll need to pay for. But start with those 4 and move forward from there. You’ll be able to put together a more accurate budget for after you arrive.

2. Employment

Moving to a new city without knowing where your paychecks will come from is a true risk.

So it’s best to have employment set up prior to moving. Or at the very least have a bunch of legit prospects.

If you aren’t able to secure some form of job, it might be best to postpone the move until that’s sorted out.

3. The Joy of Decluttering

Moving is hard enough without bringing things across the country that you don’t need.

So do yourself a huge favor and go through all your possessions as you being the packing process.

Be honest about what items you actually need vs which items you have simply grown accustomed to having.

It’s a great time to throw away some items, and donate others to people who will make better use of them!

4. Estimates from Moving Companies

Don’t settle for the first moving company you find. Get estimates from at least 3 different companies.

And give yourself enough lead time to shop around. Start getting in touch for estimates at least four weeks before your move date.

5. Inventory Your Items

Before you stick all your boxes into a moving truck, it’s important to know exactly what items are making the move.

So be sure to do a full inventory of all your items as you pack.

Some people use pen and paper, others use spreadsheets, others use apps.

Regardless of your method, always have a detailed list of what’s coming with you across the country. You’ll be able to tell much easier if there’s anything missing after you arrive.

6. Pack for Distance

There are certain packing tips that are ideal for shorter distances. And you should certainly apply all of those.

But for a move across the country, you’ll want to take special care with fragile items. The risk of random bumps and sharp curves that jar your boxes is greater for longer drives.

So make sure you give all of your fragile items some extra layers of protective wrapping. use bubble wrap, old shirts, or even paper to keep them safe and secure.

And pack your fragile items together in clearly marked boxes, so movers know to handle them with special care.

7. Put Your Name on Everything

Most people know they should mark moving boxes with the items inside. Or at least they’ll put the general category on there, so movers know where to place them.

But what many people forget to do is write their name and contact info on each box. There’s a decent chance that the company you use will also be shipping boxes from other people.

While moving companies are very careful not to mix up boxes, errors can happen.

So be sure to have your information on every single box!

8. Move During the Off-Season

Summer is the most popular time to move. So, as you can guess, it’s also the most expensive time to move.

Save yourself from paying premium moving prices by moving off-season.

And if that’s not an option, at least try to move on a weekday rather than a weekend. That can save you a little bit of cash as well.

9. Close up Accounts

Don’t get caught with an extra bill or two after you’ve left your current place.

Close up your utility accounts, your cable TV account, and any other monthly services you won’t need in that location.

And once you move, be sure to quickly contact companies in your new location to have those services started in your new location. You don’t want to wait a few weeks before your gas, lights or Internet are available!

10. Pick the Right Shipping Service

Many people aren’t aware that the best moving service for cross country moves is often a freight moving company. They specialize in LTL ground shipping, which means less-than-truckload.

They are experienced in moving companies of all sizes, and can easily handle the needs of a family or small business.

And, depending on the size of your move, going with a freight shipping service might save you money on your move as well.

Across the Country Moves

As you can see, there are some crucial decisions and actions you can make that will make your across the country move a breeze.

if you follow all of the advice I laid out for you, your chances of success with your move will be much higher.

And if you want to know more about how to stay healthy before, during, and after your move, check out this blog on handling stress and anxiety.

Tips for Staying Healthy On Vacation

Vacations are all about having fun, getting away from your everyday life, and experiencing new and exciting places and cultures. The last thing you want to be faced with is getting sick when you’re away, but illness doesn’t take a break just because you’re on vacation.

The best approach to looking after your health when you’re away is to prepare thoroughly and know what to do if you feel unwell on vacation.

Preparing for your vacation

In the same way that you’d prepare a checklist of items to pack and tasks to complete for your trip, you should make a health checklist too. Consider such factors as:

Do you need any regular medication? Make sure you have enough prescription drugs and over-the-counter remedies and supplements to cover you for the trip and a week or so afterward.
Check whether there are any restrictions on taking medications on a flight or into another country – some drugs are only allowed in the hold on an aircraft, while others are banned altogether. You need to discuss an alternative solution with your doctor if you’re not going to be able to take your normal meds with you, in plenty of time before your trip.
Try to relax as much as possible before you go. The less stressed you are before leaving, the more you’ll enjoy your vacation and the less likely you are to pick up any bugs.
Make sure you know where to go and what you’re covered for on your vacation. You should always have health insurance when you travel to cover major illness and accident, but check out where the nearest medical facilities are and how to seek medical help; trying to find out when you’re already there and feeling poorly can be pretty stressful.
Make sure you get all the shots you need if you’re going to a country which has known health risks such as malaria.

Managing your health on vacation

When you reach your destination, make sure you have all your information to hand in case you need help. You should always stick to the guidelines for your location, for example in some countries it’s recommended you only drink bottled water.

A frequent problem travelers encounter when away is muscular aches and pains. You could well experience this problem from participating in activities you’re not used to, but access to massage treatments is usually readily available in most countries. Rather than suffer from your aches and pains, book a session at a health spa, such as a therapeutic massage in Goffs Oak, Hertfordshire if you’re in the UK. A massage or spa day is also a great way to get your trip off to a relaxing start!

Being unwell when you’re on vacation is a miserable experience, and one to be avoided wherever possible. Hopefully, you’ll steer clear of any health problems on your travels, and if you follow these tips, you stand a good chance of enjoying a healthy, happy vacation.

What to do When You Plan to Go on Vacation

Leaving on a vacation always gets a lot of planning in advance. You have to find plain tickets, accommodation, things to see, read reviews, check the weather and so on. The things you should do with what you leave behind when you go are always on the second place and you find yourself, on a last minute, trying to settle and prepare everything for your leaving. Usually people call a friend or a relative to ask for small favours such as checking on the house once in a while, watering the plants, feeding the pets, but what if you live far away from the dear ones and you don’t quite trust anybody with your home and belongings? We have here a few tips to help you get everything in order before you go, so you can have a nice vacation without worrying about what could happen.

Unplug and turn everything off

Nothing can be more unsettling than worrying about water or gas leaks or a short-circuit. Let’s be honest, accidents can happen. It’s a total mood killer when you come back home and all you want to do is throw yourself on the bed, but you find a flooded kitchen or bathroom or even the entire house, no electrical power or some of your electronics broken and the worst is the smell of gas.

To avoid leaks and floods, especially if you live in a flat, turn your water supply off. This will also save you the trouble of having to deal with your angry neighbours because the water managed to damage their walls and ceilings.

Electrical short-circuits can happen, it’s not something out of the ordinary and not a very big deal. But it can damage the electrical system from your house, if you don’t have a good fuse panel that can turn off electricity on a circuit when something happens. It can also damage your electronics. Just make sure you unplug everything before you leave. And if you combine electricity with the water from the flooding because of the water leaks, you will get a real nightmare. However, you should not unplug your fridge, because you may find everything spoiled in there and the smell won’t be roses. Also, you should leave your main heat power in as well, because if it’s cold outside, you may want to come back to a warm house.

Gas leaks are the most dangerous, because everything can blow up just by switching on the lights and you could even get intoxicated if your nose is blocked and you can’t feel the smell. Just make sure you turned it off and the cooker doesn’t whistle.

Taking care of pets

You can always take your pet with you on vacation, but some hotels do not allow pets inside, so you will find yourself in the situation that you have to leave your furry friend behind. It’s a very complicated matter because this can be very stressful for the little companions. You can choose what to do in this case, because you have some solutions. For example, you can send your dog to a neighbour, hire a pet sitter or, the best solution many choose, send him to a kennel or a pet hotel. But you have to prepare him for this, because it’s not going to be easy for him being away from you surrounded by strangers that he does not trust. Besides, he won’t be able to understand exactly what happened and may develop separation anxiety.

Dog boarding facilities offer a lot of services and they are the best choice if your dog has some special needs, because they have everything that they need. They have specialized personnel, veterinarians, and it the best choice you can make if your dog is friendly and sociable. They can easily adapt to staying in a kennel especially if you bring them their favourite toy. Some of these facilities even have surveillance cameras, so you can watch your dog wherever you are. You can find a lot of suggestions regarding what kind of kennels will fit your dog’s needs. It’s not advised to leave them there for a very long time, because being away from you for so long and not having your affection will be very hard on them. But before taking your dog to boarding, you should take him to the vet first for check ups and vaccinations and, the most important, book it in advance.

You can also hire a pet sitter, so you won’t have to move the dog from home. That person could be anyone you know or even a professional in the area. Yes, like in the baby-sitting industry, there are professional pet sitters. You could tell them what’s your pet’s perks, what he likes or doesn’t like, what habits he has, you can hand them a schedule for his routine and so on. The best part of this is that your pet will sleep in his own bet and it can help with a possible separation anxiety.

Whatever you decide to do concerning the given situation of having to leave your beloved pet behind, make sure you get your pet acquainted to the future care takers and situations, go together and visit the kennel, or invite the pet sitter over for bonding and last, but not least, spend as much time as you can with your furry friend.

Think about your comfort after you arrive back home

Usually after a period of time of not being used, a house starts to smell, because of different situations. Make sure you clean it before you leave just to be reassured you won’t come back to an unbarring smell. Also, clean your fridge and only leave in food that can stay for longer than 2-3 days, such as canned food, jars and so on. Leave a precooked meal in the freezer so that you can just warm it up and enjoy your relaxation after a long exhausting trip. If the weather is cold or hot get a thermostat and set it to a decent temperature, so that when you arrive home you won’t be uncomfortable. Usually it’s enough to change it a few degrees lower for cold weather or higher for hot weather and this way you can save up some money on your electricity bill.

Mykonos Holidays with Kids

Mykonos is not only for adults. Families with kids can have a great time here too, as the island has so much to offer to the youngest members of our families.

For your accommodation, it would be better if you choose a hotel suite or a whole apartment. If your budget allows, take a look at Villas Mykonos. They offer more space, indoors and outdoors, and a lot of amenities. A Mykonos Villa would be great for your kids to play in your private garden or your private swimming pool.

If you are planning to spend some time walking around on the island without your kids, look for a hotel that offers baby sitter services.

Explore the alleys of Mykonos town

Mykonos Town has a lot of beautiful Cycladic houses and alleys to explore with your kids. Make sure you all put on some comfortable walking shoes and …start walking! The picturesque neighborhoods will impress your children and will be a part of their nicest memories for their lives.

The Windmills, Little Venice and Old Town are some of the places that your children will love. If you meet Petros the pelican, don’t be afraid of him. He is used to walk among crowds and he is friendly with kids.

Visit Maritime & Archeological museums

They are both located at Mykonos Town and they can give your children an idea of how life was in old times. History may be boring to them but seeing amazing sculptures and artifacts of the past will be both educational and pleasant.

At the area named Tria Pigadia, in a 19^th century traditional building, you will find the Aegean Maritime Museum. Here you will see models and replicas of ships from Minoan times to 20^th century, coins from 5^th century B.C., naval tools and instruments, artifacts and maps. Within the museum there is also a great library with 5.000 rare books.

The Archeological Museum of Mykonos is located near the Old Port, just outside the center of the city. Its exhibits include a big number of pottery, sculptures, artifacts and jewelry, dated from 25^th to 1^st century B.C. The Cycladic style museum was built in 1902 to host some of the amazing findings of Rhenia and Delos.

Mykonos watersports

For most kids, the best part of holidays on a sunny island is watersports. And there are plenty of beaches in Mykonos that offer safe water sports activities for kids, younger or older.

At beaches like Kalo Livadi, Paradise, Elia, Kalafatis and Platis Yialos you will find banana boats and tube rides, parasailing, wake-surfing and skiing, wakeboarding and jet skiing. Just pick up the right activity for your kids, according to their age and abilities and let them have fun until they are really exhausted!

At Agios Sostis beach you can try sea kayaks or even arrange a private kayak tour with the whole family.

Sea diving

Diving and snorkeling are also very interesting activities for children – and for their parents too. You can find certified diving and snorkeling centers at Kalafatis, Paradise and Lia beaches. These centers offer organized diving tours, lessons and even certificates for new divers.

All Mykonos beaches are very clean and they have an amazing, underwater life. You can see small fish swimming among guests in the sea. But if you want to see more sea creatures you will need to go near rocks or deeper in the sea. Just take all precautions and follow the directions of your qualified, experienced guide and you will have a wonderful experience to remember.

Visit Delos island

Delos and Rhenia islets are located at a small distance from Mykonos, on its west side. They are accessible by ferries, touring boats or private yachts.

Delos has been inhabited since the 25^th century B.C. and has become the most important Greek island during the ancient times. According to the Greek mythology, it was the birth place of god Apollo and goddess Artemis. Today it is one of the best reserved Greek archeological sites.

Remember that staying overnight on these two islets is forbidden, so make arrangements for your return trip early. Apart from sightseeing, Delos and Rhenia offer some great, sandy, quiet beaches to swim.

Children Friendly Luxury Villas

Mykonos Luxury Villas are ideal for family gatherings since they get everyone together and have the chance to be accommodated in beautiful properties with plenty amenities for kids. There is no better way to enjoy the company of loved ones than relaxing together in the beautiful sunshine with a BBQ on the go or a private pool sharing each other’s happiness. If you want to rent villa in Mykonos , especially during school holidays, then is better to book early, as large villas are not as common as regular sized villas and they often get booked at least a year in advance.

Consequences Of Drunk Driving: Taking Road Trips To Explore The Outskirts Of Houston

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Summer upon us. Soon, schools will close for the holiday and top on the agenda of many families is engaging in family activities. There is nothing that screams summer fun more than a family road trip. Luckily, there are numerous attraction points right on the outskirts of Houston that you do not have to keep answering “No” when asked “are we there yet?” or at most you will answer two or three times. Importantly, there is ample diversity in the destination; whether you are interested in a fun and chilled destination, an educational venue, someplace trendy, or simply some great outdoor venue, there are plenty venues to choose from.

#1. Magnolia Market In Waco, Texas Approximately a 3-Hour Drive

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“Fixer Upper”, HGTV’s hit show has emerged as a godsend for Waco. Joanna Gaines and Chip has turned Waco into a tourist hotspot. Magnolia Market, in particular, offers a wide range of experiences, especially in a family setting. There is the obvious shopping. Additionally, there is a lawn with ample games, swings, lawn chairs, a bakery, and much more.

#2. Hamilton Pool Preserve In Austin, Texas Approximately 3-Hour Drive

Do you love water? Then the Hamilton Pool is a good destination choice. It is a naturally formed pool filled with turquoise green water. There are also beautiful cliffs that surround the pool and a river inside it, which form the pool system. The pool was formed over millions of years. With beautiful flora and a 50-foot drop from the cliffs to the middle of the pool, you are assured of lots of fun.

#3. Guadalupe River or The Comal In New Braunfels, Texas Approximately A 2.5-Hour Drive

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If you are interested in visiting New Braunfels and enjoying the outdoors, then you have the choice of tubing down the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers. The Comal River snakes through an urban setting the city itself giving you a new perspective of the city. Additionally, is broad and leisurely, meaning it is safe to enjoy as a family. Only the man-made chute that diverts single-person tubers around the dam tends to be fast. On the other hand, the Guadalupe River plays the role of being a party river. Music, alcohol, co-eds are in abundance. Just ensure that you have a good understanding the consequences of drunk driving and avoid it altogether.

#4. Riverwalk/ The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas Approximately a 3-Hour Drive

San Antonio is renowned for its multicultural experiences that are wonderfully fun and educational. There are numerous historic attractions for you to enjoy. For starters, there is the Alamo, the awe-invoking San Fernando Cathedral, and other historic missions that dot the city. However, the centerpiece of the city in as far as historic monuments are concerned is the Riverwalk. The 2.5-mile cobblestone path set just below the city level and bordering San Antonio River is a setting for you to enjoy a walk and explore the sights and sound of the city.

#5. Corpus Christi In Texas Approximately a 3-Hour Drive

A good weekend away ideally should feature the sea, the beach, the sun, numerous sightseeing options, and engaging activities that you can enjoy as a family. Corpus Christi offers all these in a picturesque environment. You will enjoy water sports activities such as windsurfing and all the while you will be soaking up the sun. When it comes to site seeing, you can visit Dolphin Bay, the Texas State Aquarium and other water-related sports. Alternatively, you can visit the USS Lexington can explore naval history. The Botanical Gardens are also a good venue for you to enjoy some flora and fauna

#6. Marfa In Texas Approximately an 8-Hour Drive

Source: https://bit.ly/2sCkNyC

Although this trip is a bit longer than other trips listed here, it is still in the Lone Star State. Moreover, if Beyonce can go as far chartering a plane for a visit here, then it must be a fun destination. Marfa is an art-filled, odd but beautiful place on the western side of Texas.

#7. Pedernales Falls State Park In Johnson City, Texas Approximately a 3 Hour Drive

This has to be on the must-visit list of every Texan. The park has numerous trails and activities to enjoy. You can ascend the Wolf Mountain or explore the limestone rocks along the Pedernales.

#8. Palo Duro Canyon State Park In Canyon, Texas Approximately a 9.5-Hour Drive

The Grand Canyon of Texas, the second largest canyon in the US is another must-visit attraction. It lies about twelve miles east of the town of Canyon. The park offers over 30 miles of biking, hiking and equestrian trails.

#9 Hill Country In Fredericksburg/ Wimberley, Texas Approximately a 3-Hour Drive

Many would argue that the Texas Hill Country has the most beautiful vistas in the State. The Green Hills, meandering and rolling rivers is a break from the typical arid and flat scenarios that characterize most of Texas.

#10. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area In Fredericksburg, Texas Approximately a 4-Hour Drive

This magical, mysterious, and massive rock attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists. It offers a unique 1800 ft. hike to the top that reveals a 360-degrees view of the Hill Country. There is also a cave to explore at the back of the rock.

10 Ways to Save Money While Traveling

Traveling for leisure is among the topmost hobbies worldwide. However, a lot of us are deterred from travel due to high costs involved.

Understandably, traveling to a distant location and staying in hotels, lodges, guest-houses or hostels is expensive.

Add to that costs involved in the sightseeing, local transportation, food and beverages and of course, shopping for souvenirs.

However, traveling need not burn a hole in your pocket or cost a mini fortune. Millions of people of all ages travel within or outside their country every month.

Whether you are Travelling alone or with your family or friends, It is always required to plan a stress–free vacation.But planning a trip can sometimes be an overwhelming and time-consuming task.

So in such situation Travel companies can be used to ease your work and can save a lot of time. They do so despite having limited budgets

Here are 10 ways that can help you save money while traveling and yet make your holiday very enjoyable.

Tested & Proven Ways to Save While Traveling

Thanks to the Internet, there are various ways and means to save money while traveling. Here we discuss 10 such ways in brief.

1) Advance Booking

Regardless whether you are traveling by air, sea, road or rail, book your tickets well in advance. This means, at least 60 to 90 days before your date of travel.

Airlines, cruise companies, railway networks and bus operators offer excellent early bird discounts for people who book confirmed seats in advance.

If lucky, you can get an airline ticket at about 30 percent the cost of regular airfare, if you book early.

However, term and conditions apply to such heavily rebated tickets. Hence, you may not be able to cancel or reschedule your travel.

To avoid such situations, plan your travel well in advance and adhere to the dates.

2) Budget Accommodation

Another major expense involved in travel is accommodation away from home. Nowadays, major international hotel chains like Accor Group offer hotels that suit every budget.

For example, Accor’s budget hotels like Formula-1 and Ibis offer excellent hotel rooms at throwaway prices.

The earlier you book, cheaper the stay. If you are on a shoestring budget, register as a member of Hostelling International.

As a member of HI, you can stay at budget hostels in almost every country around the world as well as major destinations in your homeland. Look for bed-and-breakfast accommodations, since they work cheaper.

3) Sightseeing Tours

Most people believe that sightseeing tours are expensive. This is a sheer myth. Sightseeing tours of a city’s attractions are usually done on buses.

These sightseeing tours allow you to visit a maximum number of major tourist attractions within a span of eight to 10 hours.

Usually, a tour guide will brief you and other tourists about the attraction and you get ample time to take pictures as cherished memories of the travel.

On the other hand, trying to visit tourist attractions yourself can prove extremely expensive. It involves you riding different buses or trains and buying tickets, where required.

4) Local Food

Majority of travelers are wary about consuming local food. Instead, they patronize restaurants where they get meals that suit their native palates and tastes.

Further, you may also be wary of street-side food due to fear of infections. This is another myth that you need to bust.

Restaurants that serve your native cuisine in a distant place are invariably expensive. This is because food from your region is considered rare and hence commands a higher price.

Also, procuring raw materials is expensive, which forces restaurants to up their menu prices. Instead, try local food.

Tasting local food imparts an added thrill to your travel and saves a lot of money since such restaurants are patronized by locals. Stiff competition among local restaurants means low prices.

Street-side food, when cooked before you and consumed warm is free of disease-causing pathogens simply because microbes cannot survive the heat.

Hence, you save a lot and enjoy your holidays by slightly altering your food habits.

5) Cash over Cards

Understandably, we live in an era where plastic currencies like credit and debit cards are accepted widely by all retail outlets.

However, withdrawing cash in a foreign country with a debit card issued by your home bank attracts exorbitant fees. T, the same holds true for credit cards used in a foreign country. The best way to save money while traveling is to reduce cash withdrawal and use of credit cards.

Instead, carry sufficient local and foreign currency notes. Fluctuating currency exchange prices provide some level of buffer against buying and selling rates.

Additionally, having limited cash means you are forced to live within a stipulated budget. Also, leave large amounts of cash for safekeeping with the hotel wherever possible or open a local bank account which is available for tourists.

Deposit your cash in this local account since withdrawals do not attract stiff bank charges.

6) Local Transport Passes

You may have to travel on local transport from your hotel to various places during your stay. Buying a short-term pass saves a lot of hassle and money.

Further, it works much cheaper than traveling on cabs. At most places, you can buy passes that are valid for 24 hours, three days, a week, fortnight or a month for local transport such as bus, train, and trams, where available.

These passes also allow you to visit off-beat places in the city you have traveled and experience sights, sounds and flavors of the place without burning a hole in your pocket.

7) Laundromats

Sometimes, hotels and accommodation facilities at a destination may not permit you to wash clothes except innerwear.

In such cases, try and find a Laundromat.

A Laundromat is a public facility where you pay to use a washing machine. They are known by different names in various countries.

Washing clothes at Laundromats save you precious money that otherwise would be spent on expensive laundry services provided by hotels or those outside.

The service is available at most major tourist destinations around the world, especially at locations that cater to budget travelers. Carry a travel iron for your clothes.

8) Local Mobile Number

Surely you would love to call relatives and friends while on travel. Carrying your home mobile number is fine if you can afford the blasphemous rates levied by service providers for network roaming.

Instead, buy a local mobile number, which is available fairly easily for tourists in most countries.

Such mobile numbers allow you to make phone calls cheap and receive free since network roaming is not required.

Alternatively, use public phones by buying prepaid calling cards. Using a local mobile number of landline calling card helps save a lot of money on phone calls you will make during travel.

9) Shop Locally

A great way to save money while traveling is to shop locally. This means, avoiding stores in areas that are frequented by large numbers of tourists.

Retailers in tourist areas tend to charge considerably more for their wares since they believe that visitors are unaware of local prices or are willing to pay extra.

Instead, shop in areas that are away from tourist haunts since rates will be invariably cheaper. Also, look for handicraft emporia and other stores operated by governments, Non-Government Organizations, and cooperatives.

Here you will find excellent souvenirs of superior quality at very affordable rates. You can save as much as 30 percent by buying at these outlets instead of patronizing those in tourist areas.

10) Use Coupons

An excellent example of saving money while traveling is visiting Orlando, Florida, the city famous for its theme parks such as Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros, among others.

Though this city attracts millions of visitors from the US and other countries, myriad coupons that allow tourists to save money on everything from coffee and donuts to hotel accommodation, meals, transport, booze and entry tickets to attractions are available online.

Look for websites that offer coupons to get attractive discounts at the destination. Coupons in Orlando, for example, offer discounts between five and 10 percent on dining, free rides for kids on city buses and other benefits which help you save money.

Beware of Special Offers

Very often, perfectly legitimate businesses make special offers to tourists such as stay for two nights to get the third free at the hotel. You may be tempted to avail these offers. Before opting for any special offer, read the fine print carefully. There are countless incidences where unsuspecting tourists have ended up paying higher than the regular price by availing of bogus special offers.

In Conclusion

There are a few more ways to save money while traveling. One is by saving bills of every purchase, including accommodation, food and shopping at the destination.

Some countries refund Value Added Tax to foreign tourists for purchases made during the visit. Such VAT returns have to be filed upon returning to your homeland.

The money you get may not be very considerable but it helps get back some part of your spend. Remember, people from all walks of life and varying budgets are bitten by the travel bug.

They travel despite having limited resources and enjoy their trips to the fullest.

They acquaint themselves with how to access various facilities at the destination for cheap. Hence, you too can do some research on the Internet to learn how to save money while traveling.

Why Is Traveling Good For Your Health?

Traveling is one of the very best things you can do for your health – medical professionals have known this for centuries, and in England in the 1700s, doctors prescribed ‘sea air’ as a cure for many different kinds of ailments. Although advances in medicine have, thankfully, progressed a lot since then, there are still plenty of reasons why traveling can make you feel so much healthier. Here are some of them.

Movement

No matter where you go or what you do, the pure fact that you are moving around will be a definite improvement on your health (as long as you remember your travel vaccinations – the worst travel diseases can ruin a vacation). You may choose to journey to the Amazonian rainforest and go on a guided trek, you could be mountain climbing, you might want to walk around a fascinating city for the day… even if you decide to lie on the beach in the sun, you’ll still need to walk there from your hotel, and you might even want to go for a dip in the sea. All of this is a form of exercise, and potentially more exercise than you’re getting at home right now.

Your Brain

Mental health is just as important as physical health, and your brain is a muscle that needs to be exercised just like all your others. Going somewhere interesting, somewhere different, somewhere with a new culture, or wonderful architecture, or a rich history, will give your brain something to do, and keep it active. Plus, changing up your daily routine is another plus point when it comes to keeping your brain healthy. Although we often crave order and routine, changing it every now and then can stimulate the brain into action. Learning about other cultures will also inspire your brain enough, as well as expand your worldly knowledge.

De-Stress

A vacation will allow you to get away from the everyday stresses that we all experience in life. It will give you the chance to recharge, and to re-think if necessary. Stress is what is known as a silent killer, and having too much stress in your life can affect your health in a variety of different ways – it can affect your judgement, it can lead to heart disease, it can make you physically less able to move around, and it can bring on depression. When traveling, you are giving your serotonin levels (the happy hormone) a boost, pushing the stress levels of everyday life away. When you return from vacation, you should be able to find more enjoyment in life than you did before – and even the direst of situations will look and feel better.

Make Friends

Another element of travel that can often lead to better health is the possibility of making new friends and connections. Isolation can lead to health problems – people are built to be social creatures, and that’s even true for introverts (although introverts may require less social interaction that extroverts). Going on vacation and making new friends will boost your mental health, and that, in turn, will boost your physical health.