trip Archives - Tammie's Take~

How to Plan a Successful Hiking Trip

Reviews · July 12, 2018

Nature has so much to offer. Not only does it offer some of the most beautiful landscapes we can enjoy, it is also imperative for our health and happiness. Getting out into wildlife and away from the city is the best medicine for everyone, which is why hiking trips can be so beneficial to our physical and mental health. Planning a successful hiking trip, however, requires planning. The last thing you want to do is go out into the wilderness without adequate preparation, which is why you need to follow these four steps to ensure your next trip is a huge success:

Choose the Best People to Go With

The first thing to planning a successful hiking trip is to go with the right people. The last thing you want is to bring an inexperienced hiker with you, for example, on a multi-day long hike. There are two ways you can choose people to go with you. One, by choosing the hike or hikes you want to do. That way you can go with people who are experienced enough and interested enough to go with you. The other way is to choose the hike based on who is going, so that everyone can enjoy it. Communication is key here, so everyone knows that they are getting into before they go.

Choose The Best Trail for You

Choosing the best trail will depend on many different factors, including:

How long you want to hike for
Your experience level
Where you are hiking

If you are hiking in a national park like Bryce Canyon, for example, it is wise to find the closest lodging in Bryce Canyon to use as your base camp. That way you can enjoy several different routes and enjoy the park as much as you can. If you are hiking in a local area near you, however, choosing one hike can be more than enough.

Know Where and How to Get a Hiking Permit or to Pay Admission

Depending on the type of park there may or may not be an admission fee or permit you will need to pay for. What this fee does is it pays for the maintenance for the paths you use, and is therefore very important. Sometimes you will need to pay for this pass at the park entrance, other times you will need to pick it up from elsewhere and display it on your vehicle dashboard. Know in advance, so you don’t end up being fined.

Get Your Hiking Gear

Next, all that is left is to bring the right gear and equipment. Good shoes you have broken in are a great place to start. If you don’t have specific hiking clothes, wear layers so you can adjust to the temperature, and bring other necessities like sunscreen, bug spray, and plenty of water and protein snacks to keep you going.

Hiking is a great way to get exercise, experience the most beautiful sights in nature, and bond with your friends or family. By preparing in advance and ensuring everyone going knows what to expect, you can minimize issues and enjoy a successful hiking trip.

How To Cut Costs When Travelling Via Plane

Reviews · February 27, 2018

There is a common misconception that plane travel is extremely expensive, when that isn’t actually the case. While plane travel can be expensive, it doesn’t have to be. How pricey your travel is from one location to another, depends wholly on how smart you are about the planning process and whether you are willing to take steps to help to cut costs and ensure that your journey goes seamlessly from start to finish.

Of course, in order to be able to do that, you need to know what it takes to cut the cost of your plane travel, and how you can make all those other essential savings. Bearing that in mind, below is a guide to some tips that you may find it useful to take note of and implement when it comes to reducing the cost of your plane travel.

Photo source

Find the cheapest ticket

One of the most complex parts of cutting the cost of air travel is often choosing a ticket, because there are always so many different options available. Whenever you Google a flight, you are often met with a long list of different flight prices and times, which can make the process of choosing the ideal option a little tricky.

Choosing a plane ticket that offers the best value can seem like a science, especially when you have to weigh up the different costs that come with each ticket, such as the price of luggage and carry-ons. Of course, some tickets include these things in the price, but others don’t, which is where some of the confusion comes in. It can be difficult to determine which ticket is actually cheapest, when it comes to accounting for all of the add ons that come with plane travel, if they’re not included.

One of the best hacks for finding the cheapest plane ticket is to look for an option that is all inclusive and includes everything, from the price of the ticket to the cost of your luggage. To make the price cheaper, take the time to compare travel costs for different days and times – you will most probably find that there are certain days of the week – weekdays – and certain times of the day/night that it’s cheaper to fly at.

Be selective about the airline

When it comes to cutting costs, you may also find that different airlines offer different travel prices. So if you want to significantly reduce the cost of your travel, it pays to think carefully about the airline that you are traveling with, and whether they are offering you the best deal possible. Of course, it’s also important to remember that each airline offers different terms of travel, such as luggage weights and carry on sizes, and a list of restricted items – you can view the list of United’s restrictions for carry on items by visiting their website and having a browse.

In terms of cutting costs and reducing the stress that comes with your next trip by plane, it’s important to be selective about the airline that you fly with. The fact is that not only do some airlines offer different types of options, when it comes to tickets, but they also offer a range of travel choices to consider, such as the amount of carry on luggage and personal items that you are allowed in addition to your dedicated hold luggage. That’s why it pays to look deeper into each ticket price, to see exactly what you are getting for your money, and determine whether you are able to get what you need for the price of your ticket, or whether you will need to pay for extras.

Image credit

Take advantage of air miles

Do you have a bank of air miles just waiting to be used? If the answer is yes, then perhaps you could consider putting them towards your next flight. The fact is that if you choose to use your air miles to make flying cheaper, you may find that first class travel is more affordable than you would think, and could be an option that it’s worth exploring. To reduce the cost of traveling in first class, ask about any class rewards the airline offers – you may be surprised by the savings that you are able to make.

Wondering how you can get air miles? Believe it or not, you don’t just accumulate air miles when you travel by plane, there are also plenty of other ways that you can get them. You will find that plenty of stores that offer points reward systems also offer air miles as part of this system, you may also find that when a company sends a reward to you for customer loyalty, that reward can be transferred into air miles. Credit cards like American Express also offer air miles as a form of loyalty points. The fact is that even if you’re not a frequent flyer, it’s still possible to build up air miles and cut the cost of your trip.

Take your own food

While you may not be able to take food made at home on board the plane, what you can do is buy food from the airport. By buying food from the airport, instead of paying for an inflight meal, you can help to reduce the cost of your trip. After all, in-flight meals are always extremely expensive, whereas you can get a lot more for your money if you choose to buy your own food in the airport and take it on board the plane with you. Plus, there’s more choice over what you buy and when you eat – for anyone living with allergies this is important, as it makes air travel safer and less dangerous.

The truth is that plane travel can be expensive, there’s no getting away from that fact. However, if you are smart about how you travel, then you can help to cut costs and keep your next plane journey as affordable as possible, in addition to making it less stressful.

Pocket-Friendly Tips For an Amazing Mahabaleshwar Trip

Reviews · November 27, 2017

If you need a break from the city and its daily trials but want to do so without taxing your wallet, then we have the perfect guide for you. Head over to Mahabaleshwar with its lush green cover, dipping valleys and vast farms of strawberries. The hill station is situated in Maharashtra and forms part of the Sahyadri range in the Western Ghats. Perfect for nature-lovers, solitude-seekers and family vacations, the town is the perfect place to feel rejuvenated and relax. With its lakes and vantage points offering spectacular views, the town will leave you spellbound. We have a list of Budget hotels booking in Mahabaleshwar to help you manage your stay within the budget.

Mulberry Inn

Probably the highest selling point of this hotel is the fact that it has its own strawberry garden right in its backyard. It is located close to the popular tourist destinations of the and the Lingmala waterfall and offers clean, spacious rooms. The tariff starts at a modest INR 1000 which is a steal considering the facilities that they provide. With an in-house restaurant serving delicious treats, you will feel rightly pampered at your vacation.

Address: Near Metgutad Post Office, Panchgani Mahabaleshwar Road

Contact: 091583 83355

Hilltop House

All the rooms in this government approved establishment offers a fantastic view of the valley in addition to being cosy and homely. They also provide the open terrace for private parties and have an in-house restaurant that whips up delicious treats. A room at the Hilltop House will set you back by INR 1,100 for one night which is unbelievable for the kind of services they provide. You can even stroll through their very own strawberry farm for a magical experience.

Address: Mahabaleshwar Road, Near Mapro Garden, Bondarwadi Village

Contact: 094057 46699

Sai Signature Cottage

Situated away from the hustle-bustle of the main town and the busy marketplaces, Sai Signature Cottages are a paradise for people in search of solitude. The rooms offer a magnificent view of the valley and are surely something to wake up to. The rooms are comfortable, and the staff is extremely hospitable. The tariff for the rooms start at an economical INR 1,200 and are value for money. Head to this place to truly experience the serenity of the beautiful hill station.

Address: Sai Signature Cottage, Sai Cottage, Main Road, Medha Satara Road.

Contact: 022 4089 4091

Meera Vatika

The Meera Vatika is located in a quiet, peaceful neighbourhood that will give you a chance to experience nature in its purest form. With rooms equipped with all the basic amenities and facilities, the hotel is perfect for families, backpackers and solo travellers. The cost of one room is INR 1,400 and is a bargain for this kind of establishment. They also provide a tour desk that will take care of your local needs also facilities to store luggage.

Address: Near Venna Lake, Panchgani Mahabaleshwar Road.

Contact: 09819738309

Hotel Blue Heaven

With rooms available at just INR 700, this is the absolute gem of a place for budget travellers. Each room is equipped with the basic facilities and has been aesthetically designed to be warm and welcoming. It is situated very close to the picturesque Venna Lake and the main market. It is ideal for big families as well as for backpackers looking for a comfortable place to stay during the course of their journey. The hotel also takes care any local sightseeing requirements with their well-informed travel desk.

Address: Masjid Road, Near Petrol Pump.

With budget being no excuse for these affordable Budget hotels booking in Mahabaleshwar, make sure you plan a trip to this beautiful town for a truly relaxing trip. The place is perfect to reconnect with nature either with your friends, family or even by yourself.

What Are the Best Ways to Keep Yourself Entertained on a Long Journey?

Reviews · September 2, 2017

Have you ever been in the position where you have arrived at an airport to board a flight, but the plane has been delayed? Or have you got to embark on a long journey, and you know that it will be boring?

Well, there are things you can do to keep yourself entertained, plus, it doesn’t mean you have to run the battery down on your phone.

Mobile Phone Games

Of course, you can always use your phone to play games while you are traveling. There are many out there to choose from, and they range in many genres from puzzle to the platform. You also have many casino type games such as Canadian Casinos which let you play roulette or blackjack while the time goes by.

The thing to remember, however, is that you should make sure that you have a spare battery or a power bank so that you can still use your phone if it goes flat. You might even be able to use a charging point that some vehicles and trains are now fitted with.

Books or Magazines

If you don’t want to play games, or you don’t have enough power in your battery, then you can always read a good book. There are so many different types that there is bound to be one for any taste.

You can carry a lot of books if you use something like a Kindle. Plus, some of them have a backlight so you can read in low light. They are better on the eyes for reading than a tablet, and the battery life is long lasting.

You can also download your favorite magazine to read on the journey if you wish, having a digital copy can be a good idea as you can zoom in on the text to make it easier to read.

Travel Games

You might think that travel games are for children, but there are many that one person can play that will be excellent for you to pass the time. It could be something as simple as a deck of cards, but you can also get travel versions of many popular games.

Travel games can also be a good ice breaker if you are looking for someone else to play the game with you.

Coloring Books

Coloring books for adults have become fashionable over the past couple of years. You can now get books with all types of designs and themes such as Disney’s Frozen. It can be relaxing to sit a color your book while you are waiting, and you will have produced something constructive at the end of it.

You can buy small packets of pencils to take with you that won’t take up too much room in your bag.

You don’t want to sit around bored on a long journey, it will make the time go slowly and it can make you feel drowsy and tired at the end. Far better to do something to keep you occupied.