Lafayette Mag

Category: Tips

  • What’s Your Idea for Perfect Holiday?

    What’s Your Idea for Perfect Holiday?

    People have very different ideas about what the perfect holiday entails, depending on if they prefer an active break, one sat by the pool or something more culturally inspiring. Other factors such as the time of year, people going on the trip and other planned holidays will all impact how you view your perfect holiday each year.

    We’ve put together 3 different options for this year’s holidays which are all very different but equally entertaining if it’s the kind of holiday you’re looking for.

    Golf Holiday in Portugal

    For golf enthusiasts, a golf holiday in a sunny climate will always be heaven. Given the issues the UK has with its weather, golfers have to scrape around for suitable times to get out on the course for a round. This isn’t an issue in Portugal, where the weather can be relied upon and you can relax and enjoy the golf. A Portugal golf holiday is also great for a family break as there is plenty to see and do in the area for those that don’t want to play golf. From beautiful beaches to thriving shopping scenes and the stunning scenery of places like the Algarve, this really is a fantastic place to keep the whole family entertained.

    Volunteering in Nepal

    Volunteering might not sound like everyone’s idea of a holiday, but if you want to do something while you’re away and offer something productive as well as personally rewarding then this is a great opportunity. Obviously it also requires someone with a little more time on their hands for their hols as these types of projects are often longer than a couple of weeks. Long term volunteering in Nepal is a great way to get fully immersed in the Nepalese culture, get to know the locals and also offer something to the local communities. All the while you’ll be living in stunning surroundings in the foothills of the Himalayas surrounded by incredible views and breathtaking scenery. Makes a change from sitting by the pool in Spain…

    Staycation in the UK

    The UK is a beautiful place in itself and often people travel all over the world without actually exploring what is on their doorstep. In these difficult economic times, ‘staycations’ are becoming ever more popular and its no surprise given the amount of great things there are to see and do here. Visit the amazing array of cities on offer, venture into the beautiful countryside or explore the history of a nation steeped in historical significance. Creating an affordable UK break is easy if you put your mind to it. Travelling in groups means you can find large accommodation for groups at better value and will also save on transport costs – it’ll also probably mean you’ll have more fun if you assemble a good group of friends! Don’t count the UK out, your perfect holiday could be right in front of you.

  • 7 Ways to Make Your Road Trip Epic

    7 Ways to Make Your Road Trip Epic

    Let’s face it, roadtripping is an American summer pastime. Although it has become more of a luxury pastime in recent years with gas price hikes, the amount of cars on the road hasn’t decreased and solo travelers and families alike are still finding ways to prioritize trips across the US. We are also fans of the great American road trip and we find that we learn more about our country every time we venture out. With road trips being as popular as they are, it is important for motorists and passengers to note how important it is to support small community economies and environmental conservation efforts while they are tootling down the road. Here are seven ways to make your next road trip an epic one.

    Take Back the Backroads

    While sticking to the highways and main arteries of the nation during your road trip is a good way to save time and get where you’re going quickly, it isn’t always the most scenic or engaging way to see the country. By taking backroads and scenic byways across the country, you have the chance to see parts of the nation that few have seen. Roll down your window, breath in the clean air and contemplate how rare a joy it is to have a fellow motorist wave at you as you pass. Discovering memorable sites such as local parks, quirky museums, unexpected landmarks and diners that serve homemade pie is something that is guaranteed when you take backroads; and who doesn’t love stumbling across fresh baked pie?

    Randomize

    If you aren’t on a tight schedule, you can turn your mundane road trip into something epic by stopping at random sites along the way. Are you an artwork fan? Plan to stop at art galleries and public sculptures along the way. Love stumbling across a great restaurant? The chances of this dream coming true are much higher when you take time to investigate eateries. Have a pension for finding weird and wonderful things? Take a detour to see the largest pumpkin in the states; play a round of mini golf at a Flintstones theme park in the middle of the desert; drive through the middle of a redwood tree. Amazing and memorable things can happen when you mix things up and take the time to randomize your road trip.

    Steer Clear of Starbucks

    We know that consistency can be very comforting when traveling away from home; however, hunting for and sampling local coffee shops is one of the best ways to start each day of your road trip. Often, coffee shops, such as our local favorite Dripp, provide freshly roasted and ground coffee that is full of rich flavor that you won’t get from Starbucks. We have also discovered these places offer delectable treats like gooey cinnamon rolls, bear claws, morning glory muffins, smoothies and other morsels that will jumpstart your road trip mornings. Coffee shops are also great places to find insider information about a town: where to visit, how to get around, where to stay, etc.

    Find Your Inner Ranger

    One of the best reasons to take a road trip across the states is the added opportunity to visit one or more of the nation’s 59 parks. Whether it’s the humbling views of the Grand Canyon or the spectacular wildlife of Yellowstone or the majestic mountains of the Grand Tetons, taking a few hours to appreciate the glory of a national park will make your road trip truly epic.

    B&B it Up

    Even though commercialized hotels are easy to book, they aren’t guaranteed to be cleaner or cheaper options than local venues such as bed and breakfasts, homestays, hostels and even camping. What better way to see and experience the country than by staying in locally-owned lodges? With the robust internet of today, finding local places to stay is easier than ever. Companies like Airbnb, Couchsurfing.com, Hostelling International, Hostels.com, WWOOF, NightSwapping,and others are making it easier for travelers to find affordable local options for overnight excursions. For the outdoor enthusiast, camping might sound like the best alternative to staying in a hotel, and for those adventurers, there are sites like Reserve America, where road trippers can plan their route according to campground schedules.

    Be a Culinary Explorer

    We understand that eating adventurously is not the easiest activity for many roadtrippers. Fast food restaurants and chains offer the same menu across the 50 states and we get how convenient that can be. But, road trips are inherently adventurous and trying the local cuisine is all part of the experience. Don’t let fear stop you from grabbing a burger at the alien spaceship diner on the street corner. If you’ve been eating out all week and are craving the need to cook, seek out a farmer’s market or co-op for fruits, veggies, meats and other treats that were grown or raised nearby. This is a great way to get an inside look at a town.

    Green Up Your Pit Stops

    Last, turn your road trip into something of true epic proportions by fueling up with biodiesel or bioethanol instead of petrol. This is a project all in itself and requires converting your car into a biofuel burning machine (talk to your mechanic about how to do this). If this doesn’t sound like an experiment you want to tackle, you can still promote conservation by visiting the growing number of biofuel stations across the country. These stations still serve regular gasoline and they are often involved in community education and conservation projects. One of our all time favorite gas stations is called SeQuential in Eugene, Oregon. Apart from sandwiches that will blow your mind, this station offers fresh baked goodies, local beer, kombucha tea and other snacks. It also sports a green roof, solar power and bioswales that protect the local waterways from petrol runoff.

    Another way to support conservation efforts is to book tours with companies that use biofuel in their own operations, such as Incredible Adventures, a company dedicated to the task of bringing visitors to national parks in an eco-friendly way.

  • 5 Themed Ideas to Having Memorable Travel Experiences

    When you’re planning a holiday in another country or a road trip with a campervan, you’ll probably ask yourself, “What will I do when I reach my destinations?” Aside from determining your accommodation, transportation and budget options, you will also have to plan your activities when you’re already there.

    But most often, a place can provide a wide assortment of activities or it has a lot of interesting landmarks to the point that you think your holiday time won’t be enough. For some, it can be overwhelming to decide what activities to do or where to go. If you’re one of them, here are some interesting themes that you can adopt into your travel itinerary.

    The Local Ways

    When visiting a place with a culture that’s different from yours, it’s a great thing to engage in activities that the local people love to do. Whether it’s a community feast or a simple concert at the public park, it’s definitely an eye-opener that will leave a positive mark in your memory, which you will cherish for years to come. So make sure that you check out what local events are happening during your visit and where they’ll be held.

    If you get invited to a private wedding by someone with a different culture or to a celebration that’s unique to the place, try not to miss it. It’s definitely your gateway to memorable, enlightening travel experiences.

    Food Trip

    If you’re a food lover, why not have an adventure with your passion in mind? If you’re planning to travel across Australia, book a campervan hire so that it would be easy for you to get from one place to another. It will also allow you to have the comfort of a home. Grab your map and see what speciality local restaurants are available along your route.

    You don’t have to focus on local cuisines, though. Did someone mention that the best seafood, which is your favourite, can be found in a certain restaurant in your holiday destination? Then research about it and see how you can drive there.

    The Race to Popular Sites

    If you’re travelling generally to scratch items off your bucket list of countries to visit, then perhaps this activity will delight you. Also, if you love to take pictures of yourself with famous landmarks as background, this is also ideal for you. To make things easy, have a list of the sites that your holiday destination is famous for. Then use a map to determine their locations so that you can plan your routes, especially when you’ll be driving a motor home.

    Planning to take the mass transit instead? Then research about it, too. Just make sure that you won’t look haggard when you take your photos with the awesome Sydney Opera House or the picturesque Hunter Region landscape.

    Your Own Pace

    Some travellers just want to take things slow, doing the things they normally do. If you’re planning to visit a country or to drive a campervan for a short trip to know yourself more or just to have peace of mind, then slow travelling can give you insightful, memorable experiences.

    Perhaps you love to watch people as you sip coffee at an alfresco restaurant. Then you might want to locate where the best establishments are. Or maybe you love to wander around the streets and go wherever your feet take you. Then at least know where the dangerous places are so that you can avoid them.

    The Road Less Travelled

    If you’re the kind of traveller who wants to avoid crowds of tourists, you’re not the only one. There will always be areas in a holiday destination where tourists can be rarely seen, such as narrow alleyways as well as the outskirts of the city centre. Go where the residents go, and perhaps you can discover a slice of the locals’ life. If you want to explore a famous tourist site, make sure to do so before the tour buses arrive. That’s usually in the early morning.

    The activities listed here are suggested themes to help you decide what to do during your holiday. In the end, the secret to having memorable journeys that you’ll cherish for years to come is to have itineraries that are centred on your passion and interest.

  • What are the Benefits of Over 80 Travel Insurance?

    As the name suggests, over 80 travel insurance is chiefly meant for such people who are above 80 years of age. It is an insurance that covers certain things during travelling of the elderly people. It is because people in old age are at high risk of experiencing certain health issues or even other problems during travelling. At the same time, it is also true that old people also wish to fulfil their desire of travelling abroad or even at domestic level to meet some old friends or have a glimpse of some of the most admirable places in the world. That is why large numbers of travel insurance companies make available over 80 travel insurance so that even elderly may enjoy their trips without any stress or tension. There are multiple benefits that are offered by over 80 travel insurance. Read below the same.

    Insurance cover for multiple health issues- It is one of the foremost benefit of any over 80 travel insurance policy. Since most elder people suffer from certain health problems therefore they need to get the same covered under travel insurance policy. It is because they can get reimbursement for the same from the insurance company in case they have to undergo treatment at the foreign land. Hence they can save lots of money which is otherwise spent in paying up medical bills only. Under this policy, pre-existing as well as unexpected health issues may be covered.

    Insurance of the travelling companions- It is an evident fact that elderly are also like children and need special care and attention. It is particularly true while travelling. The over 80 travel insurance policy understands this need well and hence offers the option of insurance cover for the travelling companions or the caretakers of the old people. It implies the travelling companions of the elderly will also be covered under same policy and can get all the benefits.

    Insurance cover for baggage and passport- The over 80 travel insurance is beneficial in yet another good way. Undeniably, memory of most elderly people becomes weak with advancement in age. Hence there is always risk of losing their belongings such as baggage, passport or other important things or documents. All such things can also be covered under over 80 travel insurance policy. It implies the concerned insurance company becomes completely liable to search or compensate for the loss incurred by the elderly.

    Reimbursement against cancellation or delay in the trip- Due to some unexpected or inevitable conditions or situations, sometimes the travellers may need to cancel their trip. This in turn results in loss of money as they can get money back for the flight only after making huge reductions. Such a loss can be prevented by getting covered under cancellation policy. Also problems may arise due to delay in flight for certain reasons such as mechanical/technical issues in the aircraft or weather conditions etc. In this case, the travel insurance company is liable to make all arrangements for short stay as well as meals of the travellers.

    To conclude there are multiple benefits of over 80 travel insurance policy. Hence elderly are advised to opt for the same before their trip.

  • Bluff Works Men’s Pants

    Bluff Works claims you could work all day in their pants, bike home from work, take a moonlit hike that evening, and look sharp while doing it all. While I have never tried to cram work, a bike commute and a hike all in one day, I imagine these pants could handle it all if I did.

    These American-made pants were dreamed up by Stefan Loble, a New York resident, who, after having children, decided he was spending way too much time maintaining his clothes. He set out to design pants he could do anything in, from playing in the dirt with the kids the next morning to a dressy date in the evening. He worked around the clock designing the right pant cut, choosing a material that would do what he wanted and producing the final product in four colors: charcoal, classic grey, velvet brown, and light khaki.

    I purchased a pair of the light khaki pants in hopes that they would stack up to my lifestyle and I have since put them through the wringer. Full work week without washing or ironing? Check. Hiking through the San Bernardino National Forest? Check. Rough housing with my dog, Ginger? Check. The pants held up wonderfully. They have been resistant to stains and tearing and according to honest friends, family and co-workers, they didn’t take on the shabby appearance of normal pants that have been worn several days in a row.

    Of course, working on a travel magazine, I bought these for a specific reason: travel. So, how did they really stack up? First, I crammed them in my camera bag with some shirts and headed to the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis to find out. (For those who don’t know/remember I am the Director of Marketing for a fire equipment dealership – by day.) They proved to be the perfect pair of pants for the trip. FDIC is a massive trade show, which for me meant walking around… a lot. I never had to worry about my pants getting hung up on sharp metal corners because of the tight cut and if they did get snagged, they never tore. I could see this trait being equally useful hiking on backcountry trails or rock climbing.

    The pants look similar in appearance to dress pants and have a subtle print on them that gives them a professional look. I fit in easily at business lunches and dinners with clients.

    Overall, Bluff Works are very versatile. I would guess that a pair of the charcoal and a pair of the light khaki could get you through an entire trip. They also wash and dry easy. If you line dry them, most of the wrinkles will stretch out and the heat of your body will be enough to relax the rest of the wrinkles.

    These pants are made in New York and the owner, Stefan, claims he is dedicated to using only environmentally conscious materials and methods in production. There aren’t any details on the website and Stefan has not responded to requests for information.

    Bluff Works are exceptional, particularly compared to travel pants, a category plagued by obnoxious amounts of pockets and loose, frumpy fitting. Bluff Works pants are both stylish and tough, but not perfect. The tight cut and special material don’t allow for the breathability of true adventuring pants, nor space in the leg cuffs for boots. The material tends to pool around the top of the boot. Also, at this point in time, there aren’t any women’s sizes or cuts, but the company is still very young. Despite some very minor complaints, these pants still out-perform and look much better than the majority of “travel” pants out there. I am looking forward to seeing more styles in the future and adding to my collection of Bluff Works plants.