5 essentials for your next overseas trip

Even once the world opens up following COVID-19, if you are thinking about travelling you will need to prepare yourself adequately. Whether or not you are traveling abroad or keeping things local, traveling during this pandemic will require special preparations.

Traveling can give you the break that you need to recover from the challenges of this year. Plus, if you don’t want your trip to end, you will be pleased to know that the number of countries where travellers can move and live temporarily is growing gradually.

More and more countries, including Georgia, Estonia, Bermuda, Barbados, Georgia, and Croatia are inviting remote workers and digital nomads to trade their home offices for the chance to live and work abroad as the pandemic ensues.

As the contagion cases continue to surge around the world, more and more organisations are reporting that employees might not permanently return to an in-person office environment until mid-next year or never in certain cases.

As a result, more and more global destinations are breaking away from conventional tourism models that depend on a stream of short term travellers in favour of visitors that are willing to stay for longer periods.

So if living abroad in a far-flung destination has always been your dream, now is your perfect chance to make your dream come true. But first, you will need some essentials. Here are 5 essentials that you should consider for your next overseas trip:

A stainless steel water bottle

What’s on your itinerary? Whether you plan on vacationing on a beach or prefer to spend time in nature, one thing’s for sure; that you need to stay hydrated throughout. That’s where a stainless steel water bottle comes in. With a high quality one, you will always have fresh water on standby.

While bottled water is readily available, no matter what part of the world you are in. Relying on it can get pricey, which is a deal-breaker for anyone traveling on a budget. Plus, bottled plastic water creates waste, which has become a huge problem in our modern society.

A pedometer

Tracking your level of activity, no matter how little is something that most individuals have become accustomed to these days. If you plan on walking a lot, then you must bring your pedometer with you. Not only is walking the best way to get your workouts in during vacation, but it is also the best way to enjoy the sights and sound up-close.

A pedometer will help you keep track of how much distance you will have covered during your vacation. Pedometers are so advanced these days that they do a lot more than track your steps. Some common features include the ability to track steps and distance taken, one’s heart rate, number of calories burned, active minutes, and even one’s sleep status all while receiving text and call notifications.

Some pedometers are so advanced that they even allow you to control your other home devices and gadgets just with your voice. Some are capable of downloading playlists directly on your watch so that you can have your favourite tunes with you during your travels.

Disposable face masks

It has been proven that wearing a mask is the best way to prevent the spread of the contagion. Most countries already have mandatory instructions requiring people to wear face masks when in public. So you will need to make sure that you pack a few disposable face masks so that you are covered.

But here is the thing about constantly being in face masts- it can get exhausting and uncomfortable. Add to that the sore ears, the foggy glasses, and the skin irritation and you have the perfect recipe for a dissatisfied traveler. But things don’t have to be this way if you invest in the right face mask for your needs.

Remember to switch your face mask as soon as you land; you’ll feel so much better as soon as you do. If you want an extra layer of protection, you can also invest in a protective visor.

Hand sanitiser and alcohol-based wipes

You will need to use your hand sanitiser as soon as you touch any surface. The Transportation Security Administration now allows passengers to carry up to 12 ounces of liquid hand sanitiser in their carry-ons.

You don’t necessarily need wipes when you have sanitiser but disinfectant wipes can come in very handy when you need to get rid of germs and deadly pathogens on things such as your phone or credit card.

Only clothes that you need

Overpacking your suitcase with clothes and knick-knacks that you don’t need is the last thing you want mid contagion. Remember to only pack the clothes that you need, leaving a little space for any souvenirs and items that you may want to bring from your trip.

Generally, it is best to carry lightweight clothes that you can dress in layers. Should you need to do laundry during your overseas trip, lightweight clothing is best because it won’t take too long to dry.

Ensure that you also pack comfortable shoes; a pair or two, that you can wear and effortlessly combine with your outfits of the day. Plan for the terrain you expect to encounter, whether that’s cobblestoned streets or wild walking tracks.

A comfortable pair of day shoes, sneakers, and some comfy sandals should do just fine. If you are traveling during winter or you intend on hiking during your travels, you’ll want to bring appropriate boots too.

Final Thoughts

Even though the pandemic has certainly made it a lot more challenging to travel, it’s not impossible to do it safely. But whether you are traveling locally or abroad, it can be hard to resist the urge to overpack.

However, packing things that you do not require will only put a damper on your deserved and long-awaited escape. So this list of essentials above will make sure that you don’t leave anything important out.

Planning for a destination wedding? Consider these 5 American cities

While a lot of individuals opt to tie the knot in their childhood hometowns, a lot more prefer to jet off to another city or country for an amazing destination wedding. There are a lot of perks that come with getting married at home where you are surrounded by memories and everything familiar. However, nothing beats a carefully planned destination wedding.

Destination weddings are once-in-a-lifetime experiences that combine the beauty of traveling with the romance of tying the knot. Indeed, who wouldn’t want to make the single most important commitment of their lives while experiencing a new culture with their closest and dearest?

Destination weddings are an excellent choice for couples that are not as manic with their wedding planning. With these weddings, the couples often have to make major decisions from miles away. They also have to entrust the planning process with someone as they don’t enjoy opportunities to do certain things like view the venue or meet all the vendors in person before the big day.

Even though this can become unnerving sometimes, the great thing about destination weddings is that they can be any size that you want them to be based on your budget. Some weddings only involve the eloping couple or the couple and a few of their friends. Others are blown out affairs that require elaborate planning for months.

Whether you are in the market for a beach wedding or a snowy one in the Alps, here are 5 cities that you should consider for your destination wedding:

Baltimore

While destination weddings are becoming a more popular choice for couples, not everyone feels comfortable asking their guests to spend hundreds on travel and accommodation expenses just to watch them tie the knot. But you don’t actually have to travel miles and miles to enjoy a beautiful destination wedding. There are numerous locations all over the country, one of them being Baltimore.

Boasting bustling cities, golf courses as far as the eye can see, and stunning bays that make for perfect backdrops, Baltimore has it all for couples looking for an affordable but great destination for their wedding. The landscape in Baltimore offers more variety than you can imagine so couples will have an abundance of extraordinary wedding venues, both indoor and outdoor, to choose from.

Boston

If you are big on history, then Boston is a great pick for history buffs to get married in. As one of the oldest cities in the country, there are lots to choose from in this city. Choosing a wedding venue may even require more work than expected because you will be spoilt for choice.

Because it is the largest city in the state, Boston is an attractive option for couples planning their wedding notable for its culture and jaw-dropping skyline. From gorgeous forests to bustling cities and quaint little towns, Boston will offer you a variety of options for your Big Day.

If history is what you are after, fine museums and some of the oldest neighborhoods in the country are all the more reason to choose Baltimore as your destination of choice. Indeed, history and natural beauty interweave enchantingly in Boston. All couples are unique, so wedding planning will vary greatly.

Austin

Austin is the capital of the Lonestar State so it offers couples an eclectic atmosphere, a perfect blend of urban and country undertones with lots of great things to do. All marriages are permitted and legal in Austin include same-sex, religious, as well as civil marriages.

And don’t even get us started on the stunning range of wedding venues and vendors available. From barns and gardens to hilltops and unique buildings, the city has it all. The weather in Austin is also great all through so you can tie the knot at any point of the year whether spring, summer, winter, or autumn, and you are still guaranteed to have the best wedding experience.

Cape Cod

With its pristine beaches, grassy dunes, shimmering waters, and verdant countryside, Cape Cod is made up of a series of smaller towns each offering its unique personality. Collectively, each of these small cities will offer couples a range of settings that ran the gamut from luxury resorts to quiet getaways consisting of rustic fishing villages.

Surrounded by impressive views, you and your guests will feel like royalty on your special day whichever town you choose for your special day. If you are interested in a venue that offers a charming oceanfront venue promising wraparound views of the coastline, then it might take you a little longer to settle for a venue owing to the broad variety of options.  You simply won’t find charm like it in any big city so if you’ve always wanted a venue on the water, you should seriously consider Cape Cod.

Charleston

There is no denying that Charleston is one of the most beautiful cities in the country. Thus, the city is a hot spot for couples looking to have a destination wedding. Offering couples a taste of Southern hospitality, numerous luxury hotels at affordable costs, and a plethora of delightful wedding venues, it doesn’t get any better than Charleston.

It’s also worth mentioning that Charleston is one of the oldest cities in the country. As such, if you are also looking for a destination with lots of history, then you will be pleased with what Downtown Charleston has to offer. Here, couples will be treated to cobblestone streets, colonial horse carriages, and all types of architectural designs that will provide the perfect setting for your wedding photography.

Couples really do get to enjoy the best of both worlds in Charleston, whether they are interested in a bit of city life or beautiful beaches. For those who would love to venture out of the urban area for a laid-back atmosphere, there are several options available too.

Final Thoughts

Saying yes after the big question was popped was easy. Embarking on a wedding planning? Slightly harder. But fear not, with these great destinations, it should be a little easier to plan the destination wedding of your dreams.